What a summer it’s been for the Cumbria Police Dog Benevolent Fund!

Behind the scenes, our volunteers and supporters have been working hard to make sure Cumbria’s retired police dogs enjoy the happy, pain-free retirement they deserve.

Whether it’s supporting the committee on calls and ironing out insurance details, to figuring out claims or manning a stand at an event, everyone has been working hard to fundraise for our beloved retired dogs.

Out and About in the Community

Our volunteers packed up the CPDBF gazebo and hit the road across the county this summer - did you see us at an event?

We had the best time chatting with supporters and dog lovers at:

• Keeping Ullswater Beautiful (Glenridding, 25th July): Partnering up with Cumbria Police for a great day by the water.
• Carlisle Fire Station Open Day (15th August): Meeting lots of budding future dog handlers!
• Harrington Marina Fun Day (29th August): Sharing smiles, stickers, and our lucky dip beside the sea.
• Penrith Community Fire Station Open Day (30th August): Catching up with our local community and sharing the work we do for our retired dogs.
• Westmorland County Show: Greeting crowds in our giant Police Dog mascot suit, while visitors had the treat of meeting Retired Police Dog Skye in the Emergency Services tent.
• Frame & Swift Veterinary Centre Open Day (Penrith, 13th September): Celebrating the opening of their new home!

However, being a small, volunteer-run charity means our resources are stretched. We were heartbroken to turn down several event invites this year simply because we didn’t have enough volunteer hands. That’s why we’re putting out the call early for 2027 - could you give a few hours to help on one of our stalls at events?

Incredible Miles: Fells, Trails & the Great North Run

Our supporters didn’t just visit our stalls; they laced up their trainers and pushed themselves to the limit.

Back in May, Cumbria Police Dog Benevolent Fund was proudly represented for the very first time at both the Coniston to Barrow and Keswick to Barrow challenges. 15 amazing walkers braved sore feet and routes of up to 40 miles, supported by 6 brilliant CPDBF marshals who kept everyone safe and cheered on. Together, our walkers raised over £3000!

Then came the  Great North Run. A massive round of applause to our 7 dedicated runners: Sacha, Dave, Emily, Chris, Megan, Tom, and Becca - including one runner who took on the full 13.1 miles in heavy boots and a police dog training bite suit!

The pennies have now been counted, and our Great North Runners raised a fantastic £3,296 for Cumbria's retired police dogs. Thank you to everyone who got involved in both these events - what a feat - and we really do appreciate it.

Raffles, Jellycats & Our Monthly 100 Club

Our community support took some wonderfully creative forms this summer. We had huge fun auctioning off adorable Jellycat toys, and raised vital funds by raffling off generously donated tickets to Kendal Calling and a luxury overnight stay at the North Lakes Hotel. Thank you to our wonderful business supporters who donated these items.

Did you know we also run a monthly lottery? Our 100 Club gives you the chance to win a monthly cash jackpot while providing a steady, reliable stream of care for our dogs.

Why Your Support Matters

Because these four-legged heroes spend years jumping fences, tracking over rough terrain, and keeping Cumbria safe, commercial pet insurance will often not cover wear-and-tear or job-related conditions.

Our fund steps in to fill that gap, helping owners cover 50% of veterinary and welfare bills up to £1,000 - including hydrotherapy, scans, surgeries, and ongoing medications.

How You Can Help in 2027

You don’t need dog-handling experience or a police background to help out - just a warm smile and a bit of spare time.

Here is how you can get involved:

• Lend a hand on our event stalls: Can you spare a few hours on a weekend to help staff our stall and chat with the public? More volunteers mean we won’t have to say no to community events next year!
• Host a work bake sale or challenge: Workplace coffee mornings or personal challenges are easy to set up via JustGiving, with every penny coming straight to our dogs.
• Choose us as your charity at your next fitness challenge event! Our JustGiving page makes it super easy to fundraise on our behalf - but do let us know so we can post about it on Facebook and get you some more support! Find us here: https://www.justgiving.com/charity/cumbriapolicedogpensioners
• Join the 100 Club: Sign up for a ticket each month for a chance to win while doing good.
• Look out for our 2027 Calendars & Christmas Cards: Packed with photos of Cumbria’s serving and retired dogs, they'll be landing in our online shop very soon.

Every raffle ticket, volunteer hour, and donation helps ensure our 20+ registered retired dogs live out their golden years in comfort.

Click here to visit our website or donate on JustGiving to support our retired dogs.