Hi, I’m Molly, and I’m running the 2026 London Marathon to raise funds for the NFRSA (National Foundation for Retired Service Animals).

As some of you may know, I’m a Border Force dog handler, working alongside some incredible colleagues—the dogs! When these service animals retire, they often face huge challenges, especially when it comes to obtaining meaningful insurance, as their departments usually stop funding for them.

I experienced this firsthand with my retired Border Force detector dog, Teal. While out on a walk, Teal suffered a terrible accident—she was impaled by a stick through her chest.

I rushed her to our local vet, and at first, it seemed she hadn’t sustained major injuries. But after a few days, Teal’s condition worsened. She was taken back to the vet, then referred to a specialist, where they discovered she had a collapsed lung, a broken rib, and severe tissue damage, among other injuries.

Teal underwent emergency major surgery, including a sternotomy (cutting through the sternum to access her chest) and a lung lobectomy (removal of a damaged lung lobe), as well as the removal of her broken rib.

She came home a few days later, and things seemed to be improving—until she suddenly became very ill again and started bleeding internally. We rushed her back to the specialist, where she received life-saving treatment and spent about two weeks in ICU.

The good news is that Teal has now recovered at home and is back to her usual spaniel self!

The medical bills were substantial, and without the help of the NFRSA, I wouldn’t have been able to cover the costs. But their support didn’t stop at finances—they called daily to check on Teal’s recovery and also on my wellbeing during what was an incredibly frightening time for my partner and I.

I can’t express how grateful I am to the NFRSA for supporting me and my best friend when we needed it the most.

These incredible animals often go unnoticed for the vital service they provide, and I want to give back to the charity that helped save Teal’s life. That’s why I’m running the marathon—to raise money and awareness for this amazing organisation.

Please help me support the NFRSA so they can continue to care for retired service animals like Teal. Every donation counts!