A police officer will run his first marathon in memory of a much loved friend and former Essex Police press officer, who died a year ago today.

PC Tom Bastendorff, 30, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Braintree, will complete the 26-mile London Marathon in April next year in honour of Nishan Wijeratne, who worked in the press office for 13 years.

Mr Wijeratne had a kidney transplant in 2013 and died at Addenbrooke’s Hospital aged 38 following a short illness.

His family and friends have now set about raising funds for Kidney Research UK, a charity which funds research into the causes, treatment and prevention of kidney disease. So far £7,921.48 has been raised in his memory.

Although this will be PC Bastendorff’s first marathon, he is a keen runner and has already started training for the big event, running four or five times a week along Flitch Way.

Pc Bastendorff has set himself a target time of four hours and is hoping he can raise around £2,000 for the charity when he completes the gruelling marathon on April 26.

He said: “Nishan was a close friend and a special part of my family. I’ve always wanted to run the London Marathon and now I have a really good reason to.

Gazette:

“This might be my only marathon so I don’t want to have any regrets and I want to work hard for everyone who has sponsored me and for Nishan.

“He was a great character who was known by so many people, both in his personal life and at work, so I’m determined to do the best I can in his honour.

“I hope the money I raise will help other people live with kidney conditions with the bravery and positive outlook that Nishan did. He is greatly missed.”

So far, he’s raised just over £500. Anyone who would like to sponsor PC Bastendorff can do so by visiting JustGiving or by texting BAST70 followed by the amount you’d like to sponsor to 70070.