A POLICE officer is getting ready to take part in the biggest marathon in the world in memory of two colleagues from another force.

Tracey Hutchinson, from Consett, in County Durham, is representing Northumbria Police in the New York marathon next month.

The 39-year-old is raising money for the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund, which was set up after two officers were shot and killed while attending a burglary in Manchester in September 2012.

She said: "You sort of class yourself as being part of the police family and even though I didn’t know them personally it really hits home because it’s one of your work family members. It could have been me going to that job so it’s quite poignant.

"When the opportunity arose I put myself forward and started fundraising. I’m so excited I could burst. It’s the chance of a lifetime, not just to run it but to do with for such a worthy cause and with the police family.”

PC Hutchinson, who is a keen runner with Blackhill Bounders and plays netball for Consett Steelers, has raised more than £3,000 for the charity, which provides opportunities for children who have suffered the loss of a family member through violent crime.

Fundraising events have included a fancy dress netball tournament, a pie and pea supper, raffle and cricket match at Frankland Prison, in Durham, where her husband Paul is an officer.

She is running with Bryn Hughes, who set up the charity in memory of his daughter, and 35 other officers representing forces from across the country.