Tuesday August 12th 2025
PD Digby with Lisa
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
Police Scotland dog handler Lisa Mitchell walked 36 miles over 24 hours (2nd and 3rd of August) to smash her £500 fundraising target and raise more than £2,500.
In memory of her late dog, German Shepherd Harper, Lisa wanted to raise funds for the Thin Blue Paw Foundation – a charity that supports and rehabilitates retired police dogs across the UK. The Foundation also supports 11-year-old retired police dog, springer spaniel Digby.
Lisa, 38, said: “After raising thousands of pounds back in 2021 with a team of colleagues, I decided it was time to do something else for the Foundation. I lost my retired police dog, Harper, last year and I wanted to take on a challenge in her memory.”
Lisa has worked as a dog handler, based in Edinburgh, for 11 years, and adopted both Harper and Digby when they retired.
Digby worked as a cash, drugs and firearms detection dog before retiring, while Harper was a general purpose dog.
Digby now struggles with arthritis and the Thin Blue Paw covers the cost of his monthly physiotherapy and medication, as Lisa was unable to insure him when he retired.
Lisa said: “I took on six legs, with two-hour breaks in between, and each part was a different route, and I was joined by differen friends, family members and colleagues. For the fourth leg, five friends joined me including three who are fellow dog handlers with Police Scotland.
“I had sunshine all day so it made for a great day and I really enjoyed it. The last leg was really hard as I was so sore and tired but I battled through to get to the finish line at Police Scotland HQ in Edinburgh.
“Unfortunately he couldn’t do the walk with me as it was too long for him in his older age but my current police dog, Max, did join me for some of the stages which was lovely.”
Thin Blue Paw Foundation Chairman Kieran Stanbridge said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Lisa for her fundraising challenge, which means she’s raised over £12,000 for the charity since we launched in 2020.
“Thanks to her fundraising, we’re able to support Digby and more than 150 other retired police dogs to ensure they have the very best veterinary treatment and care during their retirements. It’s the least they deserve after a lifetime of service.”
Lisa and eight of her Police Scotland colleagues carried out a group challenge to raise £9,650 for the Foundation as they each ran, walked or cycled 10k a day throughout January 2021.
Click the link below for donation information.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/lisa-mitchell-2
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