RAIL DOGS ROUND-UP: OUR PROGRESS

The Railway Dogs Benevolent Fund was established this year to help pay for ongoing medical care so British Transport Police’s canine crime fighters can enjoy a long and happy retirement.

When police dogs retire, all costs relating to their health and welfare become the responsibility of the owner; usually the handler who takes the dog on as a family pet. Vet bills can be extremely costly, and it is difficult to obtain adequate pet insurance cover because of pre-existing ailments, injuries sustained at work and conditions related to the dangerous nature of policing.

BTP Dog Handler PC Paul Wood (pictured below) played a crucial role in setting up the fund after losing his police dog to a serious illness last year. You can read more about his and Luka’s story here.

The Fund is launched

Thanks to the support of Nigel Harris, editor of Rail Magazine, the Rail Dogs Fund was officially launched at Rail Live in June. The event is a national exhibition which brings the entire rail industry together. Across two days, delegates and visitors donated a total of £1700 to the Fund. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously and stopped to talk with us about our work.  

Ambassadors and supporters

Actress Debbie Arnold didn’t need much convincing to become our Ambassador. A regular on our TV screens, Debbie is an avid dog lover and speaks so passionately about the need to looks after working dogs when they retire. She joined us for a photoshoot in London and later spent the day with some of BTP’s trainee police dogs and puppies. Her advice and enthusiasm are invaluable.

We’re delighted to also have the support of singers Beverley Craven, Julia Fordham and Judie Tzuke, and author and body language expert Judi James. Read more about our Ambassador and supporters.

Our Ambassador, Debbie Arnold, with the Rail Dogs Fund team and supporters.

Fundraising

The Rail Dogs Fund was chosen as the official charity of the National Rail Awards, which took place in London in September. Ambassador, Debbie Arnold and Fund Trustee, Adrian Hanstock, addressed the audience to explain the purpose of the Fund, but it’s fair to say the show was stolen by retired police dog Mojo and several trainees from BTPs puppy school.

More than £6000 was raised at the event; you can read the full story here.

Since we launched, we have also received generous donations from supporters including Mr and Mrs Bryant, who visited BTP’s dog training facility to meet some of the dogs their very kind gift may help in the future. We were also nominated to receive a grant from BTP Federation’s Lottery Fund. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far.

Mr and Mrs Bryant meet one of the police dogs their generous gift will help in the future.

Open for applications

We are delighted that within six months of launching the Fund we are able to accept applications for support. It was our aim to be up and running as soon as possible, while putting the necessary governance and policies in place. As volunteers with busy day jobs, this has been a challenge, but we have had brilliant support from similar organisations elsewhere in the UK (including the Essex Retired Police Dog Fund) which has been hugely helpful.