FUNDRAISING IDEAS

A couple each took on a 100-mile running challenge to raise funds for the Foundation. Andy Ferguson, 47, and Kirsty Simpkins, 43, from Kent, completed their challenge throughout September 2025.

They wanted to raise money for the Foundation which supported their late dog – German Shepherd RPD Mack -when he suffered from gastric torsion. Their latest retired police dog, Wilson, is now registered with the charity. 

Kirsty said: “The Thin Blue Paw has always been so supportive and we wanted to do something to pay them back. Wilson is now registered and to have that peace of mind is a huge relief, particularly as he has a degenerative condition.

“Running is not my thing; I was very slow and struggled to do more than five miles in one go so it was a big challenge for me but I’m really proud that we completed it.”

Nottinghamshire Police control room dispatcher Daniela, 32, walked 280,000 steps in a month to raise £1,000.

Daniela adopted Charlie when he failed his police dog training, and later added retired police dog, Harper, to the pack.

When Harper needed injections to manage her allergies and was later diagnosed with cancer, which later claimed her life, we helped with veterinary costs.

Daniela, who has since adopted RPD Night, said: “The Thin Blue Paw has been a huge support to us and help our brave four-legged heroes every day and I wanted to do something to give back.”

Two veterinary staff who treated retired police dogs were inspired to help our work by taking on the Jurassic Coast Challenge.

Surrey’s Rowley House Vets treated several police dogs and were inspired by a colleague who adopted a retired police dog. So practice manager Charlotte and vet Alyson completed the 100km walk to raise £2,000.

Charlotte said: “Police dogs deserve to be looked after following their years of service and we understand that, in some circumstances, they can be difficult to rehome.

“It’s amazing that the Thin Blue Paw Foundation is there to help these dogs and their new owners, and to ensure they can live out their lives in comfort.”

A couple ran 4km every day to raise money after we supported their retired police dog, Pablo, with life-saving surgery. 

Carly and George both ran 4km every day for a month to raise £700 after we covered the costs of Pablo’s surgery to remove a tumour from his abdomen. 

Suffolk Police officer Carly said: “The Foundation covered the £4,000 bill after Pablo’s surgery and we wanted to do a fundraiser to thank them and help raise some funds in return.

“We decided to run 4k every day for a month, representing the £4k they covered in vet bills.”

A man walked 120 miles across the whole of Devon – north to south – to raise £1,600 after we supported his Ministry of Defence dog, RPD Atos.

Chris spent four days walking across the county, wild camping at night. His partner, Claire – Atos’s former handler – and the springer spaniel met him at the finish line.

Claire said: “Chris and Atos are the best of friends and Chris was so worried about Atos when he injured his legs and needed surgery.

“The Foundation has been an absolute lifeline for us and we were so pleased to be able to raise some money in return so they can go on to support more dogs like Atos.”

A group of Scottish officers from the Ministry of Defence Police raised more than £2,000 by running and cycling a relay of 350 miles around Aberdeenshire.

The nine-strong team embarked on their 12-hour challenge after being inspired by dog handler Phil’s police dog, Hörbi.

He said: “The Thin Blue Paw Foundation has supported retired police dogs I know and, one day, Hörbi may need their help.

“I wanted to do something to support their wonderful work and help ensure that retired working dogs will be able to get the medical treatment they need.”