A POLICE officer is in line to win a top award after raising thousands of pounds for charity by walking hundreds of miles despite suffering from multiple sclerosis.

John Parker, from Woolston, raised more than £7,500 for the MS Society by walking 215 miles from coast to coast alongside his wife Lisa, daughter Annabel and border terrier Eddie.

Now the 46-year-old has been named as one of three nominees for the Fundraiser of the Year prize at the 2018 MS Society Awards.

Greater Manchester Police intelligence officer John, who served for more than 20 years on the frontline, said: "I was taken by the importance of MS research, and I thought while I can walk I'm going to raise some money.

"My family and colleagues have been so supportive - my whole division have got involved in fundraising for me.

"It's been such a journey and it's helped drag me out of a hole.

"It's fabulous to be made a finalist, I burst into tears when I found out - I used to be a macho police officer.

"I was so happy - it's been the lift the whole family needed."

Diagnosed with MS in 2010, John suffered a major relapse in 2016 that left him paralysed on his right side.

After recovering and going back to work in a support role at Stretford Police Station, John decided to talk on the walk from Southport to Hornsea along the Transpenine Trail.

The family also held fundraising events including cake sales and spinathons to raise their staggering total.

MS Society area fundraiser Simon Moran, who nominated John for the award, added: "John currently has a one to two-mile limit, so he agreed they would do the walk over a period of time in short stages starting from his previous finish point.

"He has a natural determination which pushes him to keep trying with his fitness despite complication with MS.

"John and his family are a complete asset to the MS Society."

Award winners will be announced during a ceremony in London on Friday, April 27.