Make a date with fundraising calendar
4 October 2021
The litter of West Midlands Police puppies that have been named after motor neurone disease (MND) heroes as a nod to former Assistant Chief Constable Chris Johnson who has the condition are featured in a new fundraising calendar.
The calendar has been funded by Chris and his wife Sharon and all profits will be split between Primrose Hospice, which is supporting the family, and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The photographs featured were taken by retired sergeant Andy Gregory.
“The puppies are, of course, incredibly photogenic, so we have already had a lot of interest in the calendars,” says Sharon, “We are hoping to raise as much money as possible for these two incredibly important charities and would really appreciate everyone’s support.”
The calendars cost £10 each and can be ordered by emailing Sharon at mndpuppylitter@gmail.com
The Force’s latest pup recruits, which are springer spaniels, have been named after inspirational figures affected by MND. One is called Cheeky in honour of Chris as that is the nickname his colleagues gave him.
The other pups have been named: Doddie, after rugby union player Doddie Weir; Burrow, after Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow MBE; Darby, after footballer Stephen Darby; Len, after footballer Lenny Johnrose; Rimmer, after soldier Chris Rimmer (who also set up the MND Warriors support group); Moss, after Emma Moss who runs the Mummy with MND blog; Primrose after Primrose Hospice; Hawkins, after Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins’ work to raise awareness of the disease; Blue, the MND flagship colour; and Rollo, after retired West Midlands Sergeant John Rollason who was also nicknamed Rollo and passed away last month.
Chris was diagnosed with MND in 2018 but continued working for almost two years after diagnosis before retiring in September 2020. He and his wife, Sharon, who is also a West Midlands officer, have worked relentlessly since to raise awareness of the terminal disease and funds into research around it.
