More than £1,000 has been raised to give police dogs who put their lives on the line a happy retirement once they have put their ‘paws up.’
PCs Mike ‘Spike’ Fisher and Nick Prest, who have both appeared in the Channel 5 hit show Police Interceptors, battled the elements during their 113-mile Coast to Coast cycle ride on Tuesday (April 10) which they completed in 11 hours.
The mammoth journey from Morecambe to Seaton Carew was all in aid of PawsUp, a retired police dogs benevolent fund which helps care for the animals once they have finished their drug-busting, criminal-catching career.
PC Fisher, a self-professed “fat lad built for comfort” said that the ride was a massive challenge but that their minds remained on one goal. He said: “It was tough. I nearly packed in a couple of times but the thought of all those folk waiting for us at the end kept me going.
“I just want to say a massive thank you to everybody who came out to support us – every wave, every flash of lights – it all gave us that extra spur on which we needed in that very moment. It felt like scoring the winning goal in front of the North stand at the Stadium of Light when I heard the roar.
“We didn’t set out to break any records but to support our police dogs who put their lives on the line every day to ensure the safety of the public and they were the sole reason behind this mission. They deserve a happy retirement.”
Dog handler Ian Squire, the founder of PawsUp and colleague of the two cyclists, drove a support van to aid the pair on their journey. He said: “Conditions couldn’t have been worse really but they made a tremendous effort. We couldn’t be more proud.
“The funds are still coming in but the ride has raised at least £1,000 which will go towards giving our dogs everything they deserve.”
Around 100 people were waiting to congratulate the pair on the coastline at Seaton Carew at 8.30pm following their journey which started at the Eric Morecambe statue in Morecambe.
To support please visit pawsup.org.uk