Proud son will run to raise funds for charity

THE son of a serving police officer who was subject to a “horrific attack” while on duty in Cornwall has launched a campaign to raise funds for the charity that helped save his life.

Newquay police officer PC Darral Mares was airlifted to hospital with burns on his arms and legs last September, after being doused with petrol and set on fire by a homeless man he had tried to help.

He was saved from further serious injury by his colleague, PC Alan Lenton, and has previously shared his appreciation for the “numerous kind gifts, videos and written messages of goodwill” from people across the world – and now his family want to give back to the charity that supported him.

PC Mares’ son, Josh Mares, is set to run four kilometres every four hours for 48 hours this March, with a target of raising £3,000 for Cornwall Air

Ambulance, whose fast response was “vital” for PC Mares.

Sharing the fundraiser on social media, an officer for Newquay Police Response said: “On September 11, 2020, Newquay was horrified at the shocking news that one of our officers, PC Darral Mares, was maliciously set on fire.

“Now recovering, his son Josh Mares is raising money for Cornwall Air Ambulance. Their fast response was vital for Darral.”

On his page on GoFundMe (www. gofundme.com/f/4-4-48-challenge), Josh says: “On Friday 19th March 2021, I am planning to run 4 kilometres every 4 hours for a total of 48 hours in aid of the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.

“On the 11th September 2020, my father, who is a police officer, was subject to a horrific attack at work. As a result of the attack, he suffered serious burns to his legs and hand and had to be airlifted to hospital by the Cornwall Air Ambulance.

“The quick response of the Air Ambulance and the treatment they provided at the scene of the incident was second to none, and as a family we cannot thank them enough for the vital role they played on the day of the incident.

“With no direct funding from the Government, it costs the Cornwall Air Ambulance nearly £5 million to run the service each year.

“Around 24% of the £5 million is gathered from donations and fundraising events. I have taken on the challenge of running 4 kilometres every 4 hours for 48 hours, with an aim to raise £3,000 for the Trust.

“A total of 52 kilometres will be covered, which will be an extremely mentally and physically demanding challenge over the 48 hours. I’m yet to confirm where the challenge will be based from.

“Throughout the challenge, I’d be willing for people to join me on any of the 13 runs the 48 hours entails. Any donations would be gratefully received!”

Josh has raised over £2,000 so far, with six weeks still to go until his challenge.

Bulgarian national Blagovest Hadjigueorguiev, of no fixed abode, was jailed in November last year.

The 30-year-old admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on PC Mares with intent, and attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent on PC Lenton. He was sentenced to ten-and-a-half years in prison by Judge Robert Linford at Truro Crown Court.

A few days after the incident, PC Mares was discharged from hospital and began his long road to recovery.