A WEST Devon detective will be hot on the trail across Dartmoor on Saturday in a gruelling 24-hour test of stamina of running and swimming to raise money for a children's charity. DC Steve Bradfield, who lives in the Yelverton area, is running a gruelling 80-mile circumnavigation of the moor 'off-road' in under 24 hours to raise funds for the NSPCC. Not a bad effort —especially as he is running on his 45th birthday. His 'Dartmoor Round' starts at Meavy at noon to the top of Sheepstor and then north towards Okehampton, taking in High Willhays Tor and Cosdon Beacon before heading south past Fernworthy and Vennford reservoirs and down to Western Beacon above Ivybridge, then back to Meavy. Steve, who is based at Ivybridge Police Station, said: 'This route was first completed by local runner Nigel Jenkins in a time of 18hrs 3mins to celebrate New Year's Eve on the Millennium, his original aim being to finish in under 24 hours. 'It was also an opportunity to establish a local long distance challenge for people to attempt. 'To my knowledge, the route has not been repeated since 1999 and I have long wanted to have a crack at completing the run before I get too old! 'It will be a tough challenge and even involves a swim across the River Dart in the dark. 'I will have support runners for some legs of the route and will have supplies at road crossings but I will be carrying my own equipment and provisions. Hopefully. I will be able to complete the route. 'Having decided to give it a try I needed to make the suffering worthwhile and of some benefit to others so I chose to raise money for the NSPCC. 'Attending court can be intimidating for an adult but for a child that has to attend and describe a traumatic incident it can be absolutely terrifying as they relive the event. 'I have seen the NSPCC make the whole experience less traumatic and distressing for children and in turn help them to provide good quality evidence and help convict the perpetrators. This is one of many services from the NSPCC, including the childline service, and they need our help to continue providing them.' Steve joked that he does not think he will have enough puff left after the run if he has to blow his birthday candles out! He has a target of £600 to raise for the NSPCC and has asked Times readers to make a donation via the 'Just Giving' website on http://www.justgiving.com/stevebradfield">www.justgiving.com/stevebradfield