A Dacorum based police officer has taken on a challenge of a lifetime to raise money for charity.

PC Martin Anderson, from the intervention team based at Hemel Hempstead police station, will be running a mammoth 56 marathons in 56 weeks for Iain Rennie Grove Hospice, a charity providing care and support for patients diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting illness and their families.

PC Anderson's family came to the charity for support when his mum, Sylvia Blake, was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, a rare form of the disease.

Sadly, she passed away on April 30, 2013.

The 56 marathons began on April 1, which would have been Sylvia's 70th birthday, and will finish on April 30 in 2016, the three year anniversary of her passing.

PC Anderson said: "Mum was an incredible woman, and my sisters and I miss her every day.

"Towards the end, my mum made us promise that we would look after her at home, as she didn't want to go back to hospital.

"It was at this point that the support staff and nurses from the Iain Rennie Hospice At Home charity stepped in to help us.

"There was nothing that these wonderful people wouldn't do for us to help mum feel comfortable in her final weeks, and I know that mum was grateful for everything they did for her.

"The nurses from the charity were there when we really needed them - they are invaluable."

Already, he has completed a number of charity endeavours, already raising more than £8,000 for the charity, and more recently, completed a trek through the Sahara Desert, which saw him complete 50km over three days.

Chief Inspector for Dacorum, Doug Black, added: "The challenge that Martin has taken on is admirable, if a little crazy! Our police officers work tirelessly to protect the community of Dacorum on a daily basis, and Martin, who often works nights, has dedicated himself to fitting in a marathon a week on top of these tiring shifts. I’m immensely proud of him. It is all for a fantastic cause and I wish him the very best of luck with the remaining marathons."

So far, PC Anderson has raised over £1,600. If you would like to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/marathonsformum2015.