Police dog helper among those honoured by King

A woman who helps give retired police dogs a new lease of life has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours.

"It was a shock, and it's an honour and it's thrilling," said Linda Belgrove, who set up Essex Retired Police Dogs Fund.

The 70-year-old former vice chair of Essex Police Authority, from Alresford near Colchester, has become a MBE for services to charity.

So far she and her husband have raised £94,000 and helped 48 dogs with veterinary care and welfare.

Ms Belgrove said she realised during her previous role in 2008 that there was no plan for police dogs after their retirement.

Whoever homed the dogs would also be solely responsible for vet bills, which would often be more substantial due to the demands of their previous work.

Mrs Belgrove said she roped in her "poor husband" and launched the charity in 2012.

"There's a surety that help is on hand, and that we will them [the dogs]," she said.

"What we've realised is the 'charity' way of looking after these dogs is the best way.

"In having your independence from policing and from government, you have the right to say, 'This dog may be 12 years old but it's got every likelihood of living another couple of years. Whatever treatment that dog may need, we're going to pay it.'

"We've never failed a dog."

In 2020, she also co-ordinated a national front for such charities in the form of the Association of Retired Police Dog Charities (ARPDC).

"We all operate in a different way, we're all independent, but there's a great friendship amongst us," she said.

Elsewhere in Essex, Paul Wilkinson, 59, of Langford near Maldon, was appointed MBE for services to young people, after spending more than 40 years in the youth sector - largely with the Scouts.

Recently, he engaged with almost 1,000 children from hard-to-reach backgrounds as part of an "on the water" programme with the Sea Cadets.

He ran thousands of free watersport activities, achieving 132 recognised qualifications for participants along the way.

Despite his achievements, Mr Wilkinson was shocked at the news from the palace.

"I was hugely privileged and very surprised, and I have to say I couldn't do what I do - and have the impact I have - without hundreds of volunteers and employees who everything we do."

Mr Wilkinson said many children were too nervous to take part when they first ed, but he relished watching them develop their confidence.

Speaking about his proudest moment, he said he taught a young Muslim girl from Birmingham who had never been on the water.

"At one stage she was hiding behind the car... because she simply didn't want to come out and get involved.

"By the end of the activity, she had her buoyancy aid on, she was out in a canoe, really, really loving it and having the time of her life - and she then came back the following day.

"And that's just one tiny little example of one tiny event."

Other people from Essex who have been honoured by the King include:

• Jeff Pope, of Brentwood, writer, director and producer - MBE for services to drama
• Paul Cotgrove, of Benfleet - BEM for services to film and British film heritage
• Deta Hedman, of Witham - OBE for services to darts and to charity
• Rebekah Iyambo, of Buckhurst Hill, chief executive at Eko Trust - OBE for services to education
• Alex Boucher, of Colchester, founder and managing director at Analog - MBE for services to the gaming industry and entrepreneurship
• Frederick Hudson, of Waltham Abbey - MBE for services to the Arsenal Football Club community
• Owase Jeelani, of Loughton, professor of paediatric neurosurgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital - MBE for services to neurosurgery and global child health
• Reverend Brian Jennings, of Frinton-on-Sea - BEM for services to the community in Walton-on-the-Naze
• Susan Mapp, of Harlow, special educational needs and disability co-educator at Cooks Spinney Primary Academy - BEM for services to Special Educational Needs

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