Police Manhattan Challenge Run - May 2008

A HUGE THANK YOU to all those who contributed to the J-A-C-K RUN 2008

It is right, proper and essential that Yvonne and I attempt, in some meaningful way, to communicate how we feel about the magnitude of your combined efforts that made the events of the 3rd and 4th May 2008 such a success.

There are many ways in which success can be measured and in the context of the J-A-C-K Run an obvious yardstick might be the amount of money raised to benefit the research for the cure of Neuroblastoma. It is not yet possible to put an exact figure to the money captured through the runner’s endeavours but suffice to say at this stage the total amount raised will be in the tens of thousands of pounds. I should emphasise that all such money will be distributed to the selected research centres without any sundry expenditure.

But the run’s success should not confined to the sole criteria of monies raised – for if it were then the true value of what took place would be denuded. It is difficult to adequately convey the scenes within the Park for the essence of the task seemed simple. A body of 50 people running a simple loop of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Central Park. The runner’s aim to complete 36 miles in two days; 36 miles that might represent the 360 children diagnosed with stage IV Neuroblastoma in the U.K and U.S.A each year. Not much drama as such, however, the reality of what occurred was so utterly different from the bland content of my previous sentence.

Central Park and its patrons comprise a unique blending of people and environment. The added ingredient of 50 uniformed officers and staff winding their way through throng created an impact that rendered even the normal eclectic centre piece of Manhattan intrigued at the spectacle. For unlike many grand and large parades that utilise the space, whereby volume and mass numbers, force notice of a worthy cause the subtle passage of the British Bobbies intruded amongst the park goers with grace, humour and effective strides. New Yorkers and visitors alike wanted to know what had brought the British and their allies to congrigate in New York. The real conversations that occurred between runner and the park’s patrons were many, genuine and productive.

How could the quality of J-A-C-K 2008 been so high? I witnessed only one answer to this question. Simply because of the qualities possessed by all of those involved; qualities of care, compassion and good humour framed by an atmosphere of total commitment. The Run could not have taken place, let alone succeeded, unless the people and organisations mentioned above had not held such wonderful values and had not chosen to turn their attentions and skills to illuminate the needs of children with cancer; children with Neuroblastoma.

Returning to Vermont on Monday to re-join Jack and the family a conversation aboard the Greyhound bus crystallized the difference and significance of what had occurred. In brief a fellow passenger explained their trials while looking after a young person with a serious illness. I understood much of what they faced but what undid my composure was a singular difference – their ordeal was conducted alone; without support. All I could think of was how lucky, how privileged our position, to be so aided by all of you.

Sincerely and respectfully yours,

Richard, Yvonne, Connor, Rhian and Jack.

The people that made j-a-c-k 2008 possible:

• Police Constable Mark ‘Taff’ Edwards.The Commissioner of the Metropolis, Sir Ian Blair and his office; the Metropolitan Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers, Special Constabulary and Forensic Staff.
• Officers of British Transport Police and Essex Constabulary.
• The Commissioner of the NYPD Mr Ray Kelly, his office and officers – Sergeants Rob Corbett and Kevin Sinclair. Captain Pintos, Rick Tombari and officers of the 19th .
• Officers of Providence Police Dept.
• Paul Nicholls and members of Charity Team Continuum.
• Consul-General Sir Alan Collins of The British Consulate, New York and his staff.
• Mr Martin Sullivan OBE of American International Group Inc. (AIG).
• British Airways, Mr Willie Walsh and his staff.
• The Kimberly Hotel, New York.
• BMW of New York.

And all of those committed people who came and helped to spread the message and who worked some magic amongst the people of New York and Central Park.

Thank you.