New Nottinghamshire Police Chief’s charity to support retired service animals
Retired service animals will soon benefit from Nottinghamshire Police fundraising efforts after a new Chief's charity was selected.
The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) will benefit from fundraising activities organised by officers and staff throughout the next 12 months, with all money raised being donated to the charity.
The NFRSA promotes and supports the care and welfare of retired dogs from the police, fire service, prison service, and Border Force, as well as retired police horses from across the UK.
The charity helps ensure these animals receive the veterinary and medical support they deserve after years of dedicated service protecting communities.
To mark the announcement, Nottinghamshire Police dog handler PC James Sills brought his retired police dog, Jimmy, back to the force's dog section at Sherwood Lodge headquarters on August 25, to meet Lady Bathurst, chair of the NFRSA.
Jimmy, who spent his working life helping officers keep Nottinghamshire communities safe, is now enjoying a well-earned retirement at home with PC Sills and his family.
The occasion was particularly significant, as Jimmy is the 700th retired service animal registered with the charity.
Police officers and staff who selected the new cause will take part in a range of fundraising events and other initiatives to raise money for the charity throughout the year.
In 2025, more than £6,000 was raised for the previous charity, Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes, which helped fund a new motorcycle.
Nottinghamshire Police's Chief Constable Steve Cooper said: "Our police dogs make an invaluable contribution to keeping people safe and helping us fight crime.
"They serve with dedication throughout their working lives and deserve the very best care once they retire.
"I am pleased that officers and staff have chosen the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals as our charity of the year.
"The organisation does fantastic work supporting retired service animals and the people who care for them.
"The NFRSA provides invaluable assistance to those who look after them and helps ensure they enjoy the retirement they have earned after years of dedicated service.
"I know our workforce will get behind this cause and make a real difference through their fundraising efforts over the coming year."
Lady Bathurst, chair of the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, said: "Being chosen as the Chief Constable's charity means an awful lot.
"It's the people who do the work, believing in what we do and getting behind us to support us to make it happen. That tells me that the Chief and everyone at Nottinghamshire Police really do care about their police dogs when they retire and the work that they do.
"The funds raised throughout the year will make an enormous difference to us as a charity. We now have more than 700 members, and a number of those animals are from Nottinghamshire."