A HARWICH policeman and his friend are running 32 miles to raise awareness of cancer in teenagers.

Patrick Pretorious and James Harvey, both dads of children at Heathlands Primary School, are running from Great Horkesley to Harwich in September.

Patrick, a PE teacher from West Bergholt, will be supporting James, a police officer in Harwich, during the challenge in aid of the Tom Bowdidge Foundation.

Tom, who was from West Bergholt, died from a small round cell tumour and extensive peritoneal disease in October 2013, aged 19.

The charity was founded and launched by Tom’s parents, Richard and Nikki, on what would have been Tom’s 20th birthday.

James, 36, and his wife Chloe knew Nikki Bowdidge as a teacher at Heathlands Primary School.

Their sons Thomas, seven, and George, five, still attend the school. The couple are also expecting a son in the next two weeks.

James said: “We got to know Nikki through the school and as it’s a cancer charity it’s quite close to home. I have had friends and family who have died from cancer.

“I have never done anything of this distance before, as I’m a police officer in Harwich I joined the gym 18 months ago to get fit and have run the Colchester Half Marathon. It inspired me to do a long distance run.”

He is now able to run 16 miles and is confident he will be able to double his distance before the big day on September 2.

He added: “I have every intention of doing it, even if I have to walk the last five miles.

“Having Patrick there to guide me is encouraging - he got through to the final stage of Ninja Warrior on TV a few years ago.”

Despite it being a challenge, he is looking forward to supporting a good cause.

To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JamesHarvey18.