YOU might have seen Mike Deacon pulling a tyre around Carlisle - often with his two children, Emmeline and Luca, inside.

Next month, the 33-year-old, of Harraby, will take part in a marathon pulling a police riot van around Battersea Park in London with 15 friends.

The world record attempt is to raise money for two charities - Mind and COPS, Care of Police Survivors.

Mike, who works in security, said: "For a few months now I have been training by pulling a tyre around Carlisle. "Many people have stopped and asked me what I am doing and I have had many vehicles passing, tooting their horns.

"For some I am able to explain but others just tell me I am a little crazy, which I probably am."

Mike has been training since last October and takes his tyre - full of bricks - nearly everywhere with him.

An average day will see him travel across the city - from Harraby to Stanwix - with his tyre in tow.

Often Emmeline, seven and Luca, four, travel from A to B in the tyre.

Emmeline, a pupil at Pennine Way Primary School in Harraby, said: "It's good fun having daddy pull us. Sometimes it's a bit bumpy."

Mike said: "I try to do a half marathon at least once a week. It's hard work. I've done marathons before but carrying a weight is different, you use different muscles and have to concentrate on your breathing."

The fully loaded riot van, that Mike and his friends will pull on September 6, weighs about four tonnes.

He said: "We'll be pulling about 500 kilograms each. There are 16 of us in total so there will be two teams of eight and we'll do a half marathon each if all goes to plan.

"It is a world record attempt and I've no idea how long it will take us - maybe about 11 hours."

The team hopes to raise about £10,000 for the two charities.

Mike, who is originally from Surrey, said: "Our 16 strong team are from a range of backgrounds, but most serve as police officers. They’re all highly motivated people whose dedication to serving the public and keeping people safe have led to them seeing things and dealing with things that have undoubtedly had an impact on their mental health.

"This was a taboo subject not very long ago, and one that is still not really understood or given the appropriate stage it needs.

"The more research and questions being asked of serving blue light staff the more we unearthed a growing number staff with post-traumatic stress disorder as well as a range of other mental health issues.

"The fact of the matter is that there are more blue light emergency staff that have taken their own life than have been killed in the line of duty, an imbalance that need redressing.

"For the Surrey Police family, the issues around mental health and the toll it can take was most egregiously felt when Nige Furlonger took his own life after losing his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Nige served 15 years with Surrey Police, working latterly as a tutor and teaching new recruits the basics of policing.

"He was watched by millions of people on the television series Rookies and was a well-loved character, described as being always quick to help others and fill a room with laughter and optimism.

"It goes without saying that we did not expect or see his suicide coming, as is so often the case.

Our effort will see the team drag the public order vehicle round a track to the tune of 26.2 miles.

"The concept being that we all face hardship and have to work through problems, but by working together, we can all succeed and come through our challenges.

"We dedicate our effort to Nige and hope that we can raise awareness of the issues people can face and by looking after each other can help to turn the tide."

To sponsor Mike and the team visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/MarathonTruckPull1