A mountain rescue volunteer from Crickhowell will today be starting a non-stop foot race which is more than 100 miles long.

Retired police office Andrew Geeson will be taking part in the Montane Mountain Rescue Team Challenger, one race in a series called The Spine which is along the route of the Pennine Way in North England, to raise money for Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.

Going between Edale and Hawes, the 61-year-old Longtown MRT volunteer will have only 60 hours to complete the treacherous and iconic path through Yorkshire.

Andrew said: “As you may know, all the equipment and vehicles used by the team are funded by generous donations from the public, businesses and charitable organisations.

“I’m asking for help to raise much needed funds for the team via sponsorship by taking part in one of ‘The Spine’ series of races along the route of the Pennine Way.

“The event I’m taking part in is the Montane Mountain Rescue Team Challenger, a 108 mile, non-stop foot race starting on January 8 [today].”

One of the newer members with Longtown MRT, which is based in Abergavenny, Andrew worked as a police officer for 30 years - 11 years in London and the rest in the Dyfed-Powys Police area - before he retired in 2014.

Despite undergoing a full hip replacement surgery in July last year, the former cop is determined to complete the mammoth race which could see him battle winter conditions from waist-deep snow and icy temperatures which are well below 0°C to bogs, fog and storm force winds.

He said: “The race sees member of mountain rescue teams from around the UK compete against each other for podium places while raising much needed funds for their respective teams.

“It’s a self-supported race where winter conditions have previously seen temperatures of -20°C, storm force winds and waist deep snow.”

While the fastest completion time for the race is just over 32 hours, Andrew said he is aiming to use all of the allotted 60 hours time to finish the route.

He said: “The fastest completion time is just over 32 hours but I’ve just turned 61 and underwent a total hip replacement in July so I will be using all the allotted 60 hours to try to get to the finish line.

“If like me you love the outdoors please consider making a donation to the team to allow the volunteers to respond 24/7 because none of us know when a slip tumble or fall could end an adventure.”

Andrew joined Longtown MRT in January 2020, however because of Covid-19 he was unable to attend any callouts initially - he did however attend all training both in person and online.

Since being double jabbed in April last year, Andrew has started attending callouts to people in need in the Black Mountains and the surrounding area.

While he is no longer fighting crime, Andrew still enjoys gardening for a “few lovely clients” and he enjoys his allotment in Crickhowell.

He told The Brecon & Radnor Express that his main hobby is trail running, although it’s “more walking these days”.

He said: “I’ve done six London Marathons over the years and raised money for a number of good causes. I did the Marathon Des Sables in 2014 and with help from lots of people in Brecon, I managed to raise over £3,500 for the Help for Heroes charity.

“I enjoyed it that much I went back in 2015 just for fun and knocked 150 places off my finish place.”

Starting today, everyone taking part in the Montane Spine Challenger will have 60 hours which will finish on Monday, January 10.

The race’s website describes it as a “notoriously difficult event in its own right” and that it should be considered as being about as difficult as the longer Montane Spine Race.

It says: “This challenging and technical section of the Pennine Way is a physically and psychologically demanding route that demands concentration, good physical fitness, resolve and respect.”

At the time of writing, Andrew has raised £370 out of his £500 target for Longtown MRT via Facebook fundraising.

He posted an update to his fundraising page last night to say that it was snowing in Edale, Yorkshire, and that he would be wrapping up warm.

To follow Andrew or to donate towards his incredible effort, visit his Facebook fundraising page Andrew’s Fundraiser for Longtown Mountain Rescue Team by clicking here.