HE is used to policing the streets of Essex, but Inspector Adrian Dearsley has taken on an entirely different challenge in memory of his sister.

James Hore

HE is used to policing the streets of Essex, but Inspector Adrian Dearsley has taken on an entirely different challenge in memory of his sister.

The 50-year-old's sister, Diane, died last August following a four-year battle with breast cancer, aged 54.

The Colchester-based inspector decided he wanted to raise funds for Macmillan nurses who cared for his sister during her final days at hospital and gave so much support to the entire family.

He chose to walk the Inca Trail and hoped to raise �3,300, but after completing the five-day adventure in Peru he has more than doubled his target, just passing �7,000.

Insp Dearsley said: “Throughout her illness she received tremendous support from Macmillan cancer support which really helped both Diane and all of our family to cope with this very difficult period.

“Before Diane died I told her about the challenge and she was very happy to know that I would be doing this to ensure that others receive the same level of care in the future.”

The police officer spent nine months training and fundraising for the big event.

“It was absolutely amazing - the experience of a lifetime - for anyone to do the Inca Trail is an amazing experience, but to do it to raise money for the care that Diane had really made it that extra special

“The trail was brilliant. I would recommend it to anyone. It was a great personal development challenge for me and I enjoyed every minute of it, apart from the altitude sickness.”

He completed the trek earlier this month.

n Anyone wanting to sponsor Insp Dearsley should go to www.justgiving.com/adriandearsley