When well-known former Isle of Wight policeman and sportsman Mark Pearce died suddenly earlier this year at the age of 70, his son Adam decided to mark the sad occasion by raising cash for charity.

Mark was a popular figure on beats ranging from East Cowes and Cowes to Carisbrooke and Porchfield as a policeman but was equally well remembered as a player for Newport and Porchfield cricket clubs.

When he died unexpectedly in January from a burst aneurysm, his son wanted to honour his memory.

So he is walking 106km around the Isle of Wight (where Adam grew up) across two days at the end of April to raise cash for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). SCAN THE QR CODE HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

Isle of Wight County Press:

Adam said: "It was a terrible shock to our family. 

"The BHF has helped halve the number of people dying from heart and circulatory disease in the UK but sadly every day hundreds of people lose their lives.

"It's only thanks to support from people like us that the BHF can create new treatments and discover new cures. Every pound helps so please give what you can to help me hit my target."

Mark was born in Portsmouth and grew up in Paulsgrove, the third of four children to Roy and Dorothy Pearce.

At school he was a very keen sportsman, particularly football and cricket.

He played both sports for Portsmouth City Schools and was awarded the Hampshire Cricket Bat, an award given to promising schoolboy cricketers.

When he left school he worked for an insurance company before joining Hampshire Constabulary at the age of 19. 

He worked at various locations on the mainland before moving to the Island in 1979 to become the Carisbrooke bobby. 

At 6ft 4.5in, Mark cut a very striking figure, especially when he wore his blue custodian police helmet.

During this time Mark continued to play cricket for Newport then Porchfield clubs and the police. He was good at both bowling and batting.

He retired from the police in 2001 after 30 years service. 

He then had various part-time jobs before embracing retirement fully in 2007.

This gave him more time to enjoy his other hobbies of golf and fishing and well as continuing to play cricket.

Eventually cricket became a spectator sport which is when he took over the gardens around the clubhouse at Porchfield Cricket Club.

He leaves his his wife Julia, three children and nine grandchildren.

To support Adam then please visit his Just Giving web page HERE or scan the QR code above, which will take you to the website.