PCSO takes on mammoth bike ride for dog’s charity

A Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) from the Stoke South local policing team is set to take on a mammoth bike ride in the name of dogs this month.

PCSO Stephen Sherratt will be riding 100 miles from Llangollen, Wales, to Longton, over the course of two days to raise money for the Dogs Trust.

On his way, he’ll be making a stop at the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Shrewsbury where he adopted two dogs of his own.

He said: “I have been raising funds for the Dogs Trust for several years. Every bike ride I have done, I always try and make it different.

“Several years ago, I lost my first dog and I never thought I’d be able to get another one. I wanted to support the charity as best as I could and I decided that I’d start cycling to raise funds.”

Stephen will be starting the challenge in LLangollen on Sunday 16 July and aims to finish the 100-mile ride at Longton Police Station the following day.

He has taken part in extensive training during his spare time in preparation for the challenge and has even brought one of his policing colleagues, PCSO Natalie Jackson, along for the ride.

Stephen, who was a Special Constable for 14 years before becoming a PCSO in 2007, has been fundraising for a number of different local causes throughout his role in Stoke-on-Trent.

He added: “It’s my first ride since 2018, so I’m feeling a bit apprehensive but excited to raise pounds for hounds.

“I have done several rides to get back into it and one of my colleagues has been supporting me by coming out on the training routes.

“I’m looking forward to getting on the road and raising much needed funds for a cause which helps so many animals and people in the local community.”

To donate to Stephen’s fundraiser, visit: stephen sherratt is fundraising for Dogs Trust (justgiving.com)