A policeman is set to cycle 170 miles as he tries to raise money in aid of officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

PC Jason Lilley, 33, will ride from central London to a police memorial in Staffordshire in an effort to raise £500 for Care of Police Survivors (COPS).

PC Lilley is based in Chingford Police Station in Kings Head Hill as staff officer to borough commander Mark Collins and will start his three-day challenge on Friday, July 19.

He will cycle alongside other officers from across the Met, all of whom will be wearing a wristband with the name of a fallen police officer written upon it.

Those names include PC Gary Toms, 37, who was died in hospital six days after confronting criminals in a cul-de-sac in Leyton in April 2009, when he was critically injured.

He said: “Although I am no stranger to riding my bike, 170 miles will be the furthest distance I have ever ridden, and I am honoured to be riding on behalf of UK COPS.“

“Although everybody appreciates the dangers associated with policing, this doesn't make it any easier on the families of those who lose their lives in the line of duty.

“UK COPS provide invaluable support and care for those families. I hope that I can do them proud.”

The charity is dedicated to helping surviving families rebuild their lives after the trauma of a police officer killed in the line of duty.

It aims to provide the survivors with all the help they need to cope with such a tragedy.

To help PC Lilley reach his target please donate at www.justgiving.com/Jason-Lilley1.