Hundreds of runners braved the cold yesterday to raise money for the family of PC Sharon Beshenivsky.

Colleagues of the shot policewoman and senior officers, including Assistant Chief Constable David Crompton, took part in the five-kilometre fun run around Bingley.

They were joined by Bradford-born actress Melanie Kilburn, Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Valerie Binney and members of the public.

Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Colin Cramphorn who was unable to run on medical advice, asked the runners to observe a minute's silence in memory of the 38-year-old mother-of-five before the race began.

As they lined up for the start, outside Canon's Health Club in Cottingley, hundreds of multi-coloured balloons were released into the sky. The watching crowds counted down from ten before Mr Cramphorn blew a horn to let the runners go.

Many clutched balloons as they set off and a number of children were among those scampering through the start line.

Chief Superintendent Allan Doherty, divisional commander of Bradford North Police, ran with his original helmet, truncheon and epaulettes from when he joined the force in 1979, while his son Joe, 13, wore his father's uniform.

But missing from the line-up was PC Teresa Milburn, who was shot and wounded in the same incident in which her friend and colleague died. She had planned to take part but was advised not to by doctors.

Mr Cramphorn said the support the public had given was "tremendous".

He said: "It is evidence that some good can come from the darkest and most desperate of situations. Today is further evidence of the way the community will come together on an issue such as this."

Mr Cramphorn said the loss was still raw. "We are all still feeling it very much. But our loss is nothing to that of her family."

Chief Superintendent Sarah Brown, PC Beshenivsky's divisional commander at Bradford South Police, joined in the run, along with a number of other senior officers from the division and members of Sharon's team.

She said: "It is a great opportunity to remember Sharon in a fun way, as well as raising money for the family. We hope to make it an annual event."

Melanie Kilburn, who plays PC Laura Bryant in The Bill, said: "The real police are incredibly brave."

Melanie, who was head girl and hockey captain at The Girls' Grammar School, Bradford, added: "Sharon's death was a terrible tragedy. I watched the funeral on TV and I thought it was great to be able to support something so positive."

Runner Zaf Shah, who helped to organise the event, said he hoped the day would raise thousands of pounds for the family.

"The people of Bradford came out and showed their support and unity," he said.

First past the post was Bingley postman Marco Gvero, 37, and the first woman to finish was Melanie Siddall, a police inspector at Toller Lane.

e-mail: steve.wright@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

Colleague's tribute on video

Colleagues of PC Beshenivsky will honour her in a video-taped tribute which will be seen by hundreds of officers from across the country tomorrow.

The video to mark the loss of police officers killed in the line of duty in the last year will be shown at the national conference of the Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, at Bournemouth.

West Yorkshire federation chairman Tom McGhie said colleagues who had worked with her in Bradford had contributed to the video.

He said: "They have said pieces to camera as a tribute to Sharon and it will be played at the conference. It will be an emotional occasion."

Tribute will also be paid to PC Beshenivsky at an eve of congress dinner by West Yorkshire Police Federation official Kath Bainbridge.

The arming of police officers will be a major talking point at the three-day conference, which is expected to be attended by the new Home Secretary, John Reid.

  • Five men are due to face trial later this year over the killing of PC Beshenivsky.