A Hornchurch police officer will push himself to the limit to help raise funds for children suffering from an aggressive childhood cancer.

Matt Kitt, along with Rayleigh officer Tom Perry, will run 156 miles in the TransBritain ultra marathon.

Cash raised will go to charity Joining Against Cancer in Kids (JACK), which helps youngsters suffering from neuroblastoma receive treatment unavailable in the UK.

It is the disease which claimed the life of Hornchurch boy, Mitchell Huth, on Saturday.

The pair were inspired after their colleague Det Con Greg Higgins’ daughter, Robyn, was diagnosed with high risk stage four of the disease in 2009.

The brave ten-year-old, from Surrey, has endured numerous chemotherapy sessions, stem cell harvest and surgery to remove a large tumour - leaving her unable to walk for seven months.

After a year of treatment, doctors believed she had cleared the disease.

Sadly in April 2011, following routine scans, her family were devastated to find the cancer had returned.

There are no further treatment options open to Robyn in Britain.

She is currently undergoing potentially life-saving trial treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, in the USA, which her family continue to raise �200,000 to pay for.

Matt said: “This is a cause close to our hearts. The event provides us with a unique opportunity to raise awareness and funds to support this very worthwhile cause.

“All that’s required from us is a monumental effort over the gruelling six-day competition.

“This struggle pales into insignificance compared to the struggle Robyn and her family go through every day. Any support you give to us through sponsorship will be greatly appreciated. Please help us to help Robyn.”

JACK was established by Richard and Yvonne Brown, both Met officers, who tragically lost son Jack to the disease.

Tom and Matt will begin their challenge on September 8.

They will cover 156 miles and climb 6,500 metre carrying one man tents and all their supplies, starting in Scotland and finishing in Wales.

To support them go to: www.justgiving.com/mattandtom156mileultra

In the UK, around a 100 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a tumour of the nerve cells, each year.