Police walk 71km and raise £9k for Southend officer

Colleagues of PC Ewan Smith, from Southend, took on the challenge over one weekend, trekking from the town to Chelmsford.

More than £9,000 has now been raised for his family.

Last year, Mr Smith died at the age of only 36, leaving behind his wife Natalie and three sons, aged between five and one.

He was rushed to hospital in March after suffering a seizure, and tragically was found to have a brain tumour.

Missed - Mr Smith died from a brain tumour

Mr Smith did not recovered consciousness following the seizure and died three days later, leaving his family heartbroken.

At 7pm on Saturday, his police colleagues and friends Det Sgt Charlie Cronin, PC Andy Gore, PC Dave Roberts, DC Karen Bryant, PC Charlotte Vale and PC Wendy Wray, set off from Southend police station and began their 71.449 kilometre walk.

The distance was a tribute to Mr Smith’s police collar number, 71449.

Having originally set out to raise £2,500 for Mr Smith’s family, the team have now raised more than £9,000.

Police officers' walk for Ewan Smith

Det Sgt Cronin said: “We never envisaged we’d raise this much money and we would like to thank every single person who has donated.

“We can’t begin to express just how overwhelmed we were by everyone’s kindness and couldn’t believe that we even had donations from people who didn’t know us or Ewan.

“We know nothing we do can ever make up for losing Ewan, but we hope that we can make Natalie, the boys and Ewan’s parents and three sisters feel a little better on Ewan’s behalf.”

On the road - The officers at sunrise

PC Andy Gore said: “We wanted to do something that would be a challenge and we have the muscle aches and foot blisters to prove just how tough it was.

“But we were all determined to get to the end because we were doing it in Ewan’s memory and for his family.

“We had some great support along the way from family and friends, who kept us going by turning up along the route.”

The team walked to Grays Police Station, where they had worked together with Mr Smith, passing through Hadleigh, Benfleet, Pitsea and Stanford-le-Hope, arriving at their halfway point during the early hours of Sunday.

After eating some much-needed food, tending to their sore feet and treating a couple of minor injuries, they set off again.

As they made their way towards Chelmsford, the walkers hit Orsett as the sun was rising.

Police officers' walk for Ewan Smith

The team continued onto Billericay for a break, before heading to Essex Police Headquarters.

A mile before the finish line the officers were joined by Mr Smith’s wife and sons, who walked the final part of the team’s journey with them. After 19 hours, police officers crossed the finish line in Chelmsford.

Police officers' walk for Ewan Smith

Natalie said the family have been overwhelmed by the generous efforts of the police team and those who donated.

She said: “I am so touched by the thought Charlie and the team have put in to this and I know that Ewan would have loved the idea.

“Incorporating Ewan’s police collar number and the areas where he lived and worked in the walk makes it very personal and special.

“It wasn’t until Charlie sent me the Just Giving link, that I realised the team were raising money for us. I was completely shocked and overwhelmed. I can never begin to thank everyone for their thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity.

“We have been left devastated by Ewan’s death and miss him every day. It’s nice to know that we’re not alone in remembering him and have the continued support of his friends and colleagues.”

Police officers' walk for Ewan Smith