The Duchess of York has become patron for NFRSA.

The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) has announced The Duchess of York as its new patron to coincide with the charity’s first birthday.

The NFRSA’s mission is to improve the lives of retired dogs and horses from the police, prison, border force services and the National Crime Agency. The charity helps with medical and veterinary bills and provides assistance to ensure that animals are able to stay with their handlers after retirement, which is sometimes not possible due to financial pressures.

On her invitation to become patron The Duchess accepted without hesitation. She said: “It is a great honour to be invited to be Patron of the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals. This incredible charity is dedicated to supporting our truly exceptional service dogs and horses who do more for us than we can ever imagine. I am deeply grateful for their belief in me, and I will do everything I can to personally support them.”

In its first year, the charity has has issued grants totalling £22,000 as well as gaining a number of celebrity supporters including actress Minnie Driver, and television presenters Carol Vorderman and Nick Knowles.

The Countess Bathurst, founder of the NFRSA said: “The cause of the NFRSA has captured the hearts of many kind and passionate supporters, to whom we are unendingly grateful. 

“Our courageous service animals have spent their lives working tirelessly to keep us safe. There is no one in this country who has not been protected at some point – often remaining completely unaware – by a serving horse or dog.

“Together, we are ensuring their twilight years are happy and well lived, and the generous support we have been shown in our first year gives us great confidence that we can make a real difference to the welfare of these magnificent animals in retirement going forward.” 

Lady Bathurst will be riding her bicycle from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money and awareness for the charity’s work. She will be accompanied by a number of NFRSA ambassadors as well as officers and dog handlers from the services the charity supports. The Duchess of York will be driving the tour motorhome.

Image (C) NFRSA