Funds raised in memory of officer killed on duty

The brother of a Kent Police officer killed while on duty has raised nearly £10,000 for the emergency service that fought to save his life.

PC Bradley Corke, 27, from Hastings in East Sussex, died in March following a car crash which occurred while he was responding to an emergency call in Farningham, near Swanley, in Kent.

His brother, Nathan, and friends, Jamie Simpson and Joe Worsley, have completed the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey and Sussex (KSS).

"They worked on Brad and got his heart going again after it happened, giving us a chance to say goodbye to him at the hospital. There are no words to thank them enough," Nathan said.

The trio took on the highest peak in Scotland, Ben Nevis, and Wales' Yr Wyddfa, along with Helvellyn, England's third highest.

The inclusion of Helvellyn instead of the traditional choice of Scafell Pike was due to the personal resonance it had for PC Corke and Simpson, who climbed it together in June 2024.

And the feat was made even more gruelling by the fact that the participants did it all within a 24-hour window.

The trio beat the challenge, completing it in 21 hours and 57 minutes earlier this month.

They also set off a blue flare at the summit of each mountain as a tribute to Bradley, both as a life-long Brighton & Hove Albion supporter and a fallen police officer.

"Every time we saw the blue smoke, it was very emotional," Nathan said.

"It felt like Brad was watching over us and smiling."

He added that all three would talk to Corke for inspiration during the challenge.

"He had the attitude of never give up, keep pushing yourself," Nathan said, adding that the experience had helped bring the three men closer together.

"We've become so close since everything happened," Nathan said.

"We've relied on each other a lot and we speak to each other every day about how we're feeling."

A KSS spokesperson said: "We are incredibly grateful to Nathan, Jamie and Joe, along with everyone connected with Bradley, for all they have done to raise funds for KSS and increase awareness of our work.

"Completing the Three Peaks Challenge is a truly inspirational achievement and we hope they feel proud of what they have accomplished."

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