A RETIRED Dorset police officer who went to New York to help in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attack is staging an endurance fitness challenge for two charities on the anniversary of the 2001 atrocity this year.

Julie Corbin, from Uplyme, is in training for her 24 hour challenge which will start precisely at 1.46pm on September 11 .

Julie, 56, will start and finish her challenge at the B! Health and Fitness gym in Lyme Regis. The challenge will involve gym work, a bike ride, swimming, paddle boarding, and jogging.

Julie, a detective constable who served with Dorset Police for 17 years, was a family liaison officer and was sent to New York with a fellow Dorset officer, Sandy Goldsmith, to help victims there and later some who returned to Britain.

Julie said: “I felt the anniversary of 9/11 was appropriate for my challenge and the charities are also fitting at such a time.”

Julie is raising funds for Cruse Bereavement Care and Arc, Axminster Recovery with Counselling.

Her fundraising page is at https://www.justgiving.com/team/JulieCorbin-UltraEnduranceChallenge