Ten officers from the Ballyarnett Neighbourhood Policing Team in Derry City and Strabane walked 30 kilometres along the North Coast on 3 May, raising £1,072 for the local charity ARC Fitness.

ARC Fitness supports individuals affected by substance use and addiction, helping them move into recovery through physical activity, professional guidance, education and reconnection with the community. The organisation delivers frontline services, including one-to-one recovery work and family support.

Sergeant Pete Johnston of the Ballyarnett NPT said the police see the harm caused by illicit drugs on individuals, families and communities. He noted that tackling the issue is a priority for officers, but that a criminal justice approach alone cannot provide all the answers. Working with partners like ARC Fitness helps break the cycle of offending.

Gary Rutherford, who founded ARC Fitness, said the donation will go directly towards putting people through recovery programmes and providing family support. He described the work as life-changing, watching people move from crisis to hope, regain employment, re-enter education and rebuild relationships.

Over recent years, Ballyarnett officers have raised nearly £4,000 for ARC Fitness through events including the Belfast Marathon and previous coastal walks. In 2022, they worked with the Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership to secure match funding for a pilot referral scheme, allowing police to signpost individuals directly to ARC Fitness.