As a serving Metropolitan police officer, Lawrence Cullinane was more than up for rallying the troops to take on a hardcore challenge that has raised over £10,000 for Demelza, who supported his son, Joshua.

Starting at 10 am on 9 July and finishing on 10 am on 10 July, a team of 12 serving and former police and army officers, completed a gruelling rowing challenge, raising a staggering £10,000 in the process.

The team commandeered the gym at the Brompton Barracks in Gillingham, Kent – thanks to Major Edward Thompson, an old school friend of Lawrence’s whose daughter, Dilly, was also supported by Demelza – rowing a total of 1 million metres over 24 hours.

Cheered on by family and friends, including a shout out from Ted Lasso and Hollywood star, Hannah Waddingham, whose brother took part in the challenge, the team, including Matt Basset and Major Thompson’s brother, Paul, all former school friends of Lawrence’s from the Duke of York’s Royal Military School in Dover, were more than up for the challenge. In fact, the rowers smashed the target within the allotted timeframe with little or no sleep at all, sustained by refreshments from the camp caterers and encouragement from their supporters.

Lawrence said: “My motivation for arranging this challenge was to raise as much money as I could for Demelza. Their support essentially gave me my family back. We were able to be together and concentrate on just loving Joshua while his care and medical needs were taken care of. Care continued long after Joshua passed away, including music therapy for our daughter, Libby”

To read more about Joshua’s story and donate to support Lawrence’s challenge, go to his Just Giving page here.

Feeling inspired? Why not have a go at fundraising yourself, click the link below for more inspiration and ideas!