A host of sporting and television stars have signed up to take part in a charity run to raise money for the family of Bradford PC Sharon Beshenivsky.

Bradford boxing champion Junior Witter has thrown his weight behind the charity run as have actors TJ Ramini and Melanie Kilburn, who play Detective Constable Zain Nadir and PC Laura Bryant in the television police soap The Bill.

The 5km charity run has been organised by former Bradford athlete Zaff Shah and Neil Jackson who is the manager at Cannon's Health Club in Cottingley to raise money for the family of PC Beshenivsky, 38, who was shot dead while investigating a robbery at the Universal Express travel agents in Morley Street, Bradford, on November 18.

Bradford's king of the ring Junior Witter has pledged to raise money by taking part in the run.

The light-welterweight said: "I recognise the important role our police officers play in making this a safer community for all of us and I was deeply saddened by what happened to PC Beshenivsky.

"I want to do something to help her family and honour her memory and contribution to the city."

Organiser Mr Shah said he was delighted by the response so far.

"I know this event is going to be really big and I want as many celebrities and everyday people running side by side to demonstrate our unity in Bradford," he said. The organisers hope to raise more than £50,000 from the run around Cottingley that will be held some time in May.

The Beshenivsky family has expressed its gratitude to the organisers through their family liaison officer. Last week the Telegraph & Argus reported that the collection fund for the family had raised tens of thousands of pounds in only six weeks.

Meanwhile police officers from the Wakefield district have announced they will complete a 20-mile run to raise money for the memorial fund.

PCs Donna Litchfield, Keeley Ridge, Nicola Downes, Andy Poole and Wakefield District Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Mark Whyman have signed up for the race which takes place on Sunday, March 19, in Hull.

Married PC Beshenivsky, of Hainworth, near Keighley, a mother of three children and two step children, was killed on the day of her youngest daughter Lydia's fourth birthday. Her colleague PC Teresa Milburn, 37, was shot in the shoulder as she went to her assistance.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke and Police Minister Hazel Blears are expected to join hundreds of police officers from around the country at her funeral which will take place at Bradford Cathedral on Wednesday.

Muzzaker Imtiaz Shah, 24, and Yusuf Jama, 19, have been charged with her murder and have been remanded in custody to stand trial later this year.

A countrywide manhunt is continuing for a third suspect Mustaf Jama, 25, who is believed to have links with Sheffield, Birmingham, Coventry and Leicester. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should ring the incident room on (01274) 373700 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.