A Huddersfield police inspector cycled 80 miles visiting police stations across West Yorkshire to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Insp Graham Dyson, of the Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, got on his bike for a fundraiser to mark his retirement in the New Year.

The inspector used a day off for his epic bike ride which took him from Halifax at 7.15am to Huddersfield by 3.30pm. On the way he stopped off for selfies with colleagues in three Bradford stations and at Leeds, Wakefield, Normanton and Dewsbury.

Insp Dyson said: “I’ve loved my time in policing and, after more than 32 years in the force, have worked in most places in West Yorkshire.

“It seemed to be a great idea to visit them all to say a goodbye to friends and colleagues and to do it in a way where I could raise some money for a very worthy cause. I want to thank everyone who donated and posed for pictures. Those selfies at least provided me with some proof I had turned up at their stations!”

Describing his journey, Insp Dyson said the cold, wind and the hills of Bradford proved a challenge and he added: “Half way round quite a squeak developed and I wasn’t sure if it was me or the bike!”

Insp Dyson with Chief Constable John Robins

The inspector said he had started his involvement in policing in June 1990 after joining as a special constable. He became a full-time officer in 1995 and worked in Halifax and Bradford, where he served for 13 years, rising to the rank of inspector.

A transfer to Leeds followed before he became the NPT inspector for Huddersfield four years ago.

Insp Dyson said incidents in his career which really stood out for him had been the five instances in which he had delivered what proved to be life-saving CPR, with one resulting in him being awarded a Chief Constable’s Commendation.

He said: “In one case a lady in Bradford city centre had been knocked down by a car in front of me. I gave her CPR for over 30 minutes until Yorkshire Air Ambulance arrived. I didn’t think she would make it, and the attending doctor said that without the CPR/first aid she wouldn’t have.

“As police officers our first duty is to protect life and I am grateful that, in the awful situations where people really needed critical help, I was able to make a difference.” 

Insp Dyson raised over £500 from his ride and added: “The Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a charity which as police officers, we see save lives day in and day out, and I’m really pleased to have done my bit to raise money for a very worthy cause.”

Huddersfield Town’s Pedal for Pounds is heading to Wales and here’s everything you need to know