Pillars of Hercules conquered for charity

Intrepid team take on the legendary Pillars of Hercules, climbing two peaks on two continents in 24 hours.

On Saturday 5th April a team made up mainly of police officers from Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Police and Royal Gibraltar Police took on and beat a legendary challenge, climbing two peaks, on two continents in just 24 hours – all while raising money for Walking With The Wounded and two police charities, Police Care UK and The Royal Gibraltar Police Benevolent Fund. The majority of the team have also served in His Majesty's Armed Forces and share an understanding of the struggles faced by colleagues in all the services.

The team began their challenge at first light on Saturday 5th April, scaling Jebel Mousa in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco in Africa. The ascent and descent took around six hours and once down they had to be driven by coach to the ferry port at Tangier Med before taking a ferry across the the Straits of Gibraltar to Tarifa in Spain.

Once back in Europe the team once again relied on coaches to head onto Gibraltar and, once across the border they began their ascent of the famous Rock of Gibraltar, which took around two hours to scale. The challenge ended when they were all stood at the top of the rock with a banner on display, and Jebel Mousa visible in the distance.

Before embarking on the remarkable challenge, Inspector Jim Jones of the Greater Manchester Police said: “Scaling two peaks on two different continents in the same day is going to challenge each and every one of our 26 strong team, but it is nothing compared to the battles some of our colleagues face with the trauma they have experienced through service. If the money we raise for Walking With the Wounded, Police Care UK and the Royal Gibraltar Benevolent fund prevents one suicide of a military or police veteran it has been more than worth it."

The team set out to raise £6,000 to be shared between the three charities, but has so far smashed their target, with donations now approaching £10,000.