CHARITY
there was a psychiatric patient, under the influence of drink and drugs, acting violently towards his girlfriend,” she said. “I was there with the probationer, who was just fresh out of Hendon – I did what I was supposed to do and went to arrest him, and he kicked off.”
A fight broke out and the psychiatric patient pulled a shelf off the wall and threw it at Amanda. She explained this was just weeks after they had been issued with batons: “I struck him to try and incapacitate him until backup arrived. They managed to kick in the doors into the room where I was with him, because the girlfriend had accidentally locked us in by dropping the catch on the door. I ended up being backed up and bent over the kitchen cabinets backwards, with him yanking at my head.”
This incident left Amanda with a back
injury, as well as the shoulder injury from the Southwark chase and she had to retire after 10 years of service. She spent a number of years recovering and focused on being a mum, before joining the ambulance service as a 999-call taker. Eventually, she became a serious incident investigator for the NHS, using her policing knowledge. Unfortunately, Amanda’s health
started to deteriorate and she had to use a wheelchair. She had already been volunteering for a small support dog charity, which soon resulted in her getting Jupiter, a support dog of her own. “I never thought I’d have a dog again, but it started to make me think – I know I’m in a wheelchair, I could use this support, and this is when Jupiter came into my life,” she said. Amanda’s life was very isolated and she felt invisible: “I’d lost track of myself so much that I’d just go from the house to the car to work and back, and people don’t know how to approach you, they ignore you. So, we finally got accepted into Support Dogs on Jupiter’s third birthday, which was the last day he was allowed to be selected. “I went to the shops for the first time with him and I was suddenly surrounded by people who didn’t just look past me,” she said. “It feels like everyone knows us around the city now, and many take the time to talk to both me and Jupiter. “He doesn’t make any noise, so he’s
perfect in the control room at the ambulance HQ. When I was in my office and was working as a serious incident investigator, I’d turn around and they’ll be call takers in my office, sitting on the floor
– I hadn’t heard them come in. They had handled some incredible calls, such as like child cardiac arrests, and they needed a break. So, sometimes they just came in to cuddle Jupiter.”
Supplying and training one special support dog can cost around £18,000. Amanda aims to raise £2,000 for the charity. “I hope that my arms will still work by the end of it all, as the current ETA for the marathon is seven hours,” she added. “So, please keep an eye out for us, and if anyone would like to support us in this challenge, we have a Just Giving page.”
If you would like to donate, you can text MARATHON 10 to 70480 to donate £10 or go to: www.2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse. com/pf/amanda-davidson
For more information about the charity, go to
www.supportdogs.co.uk
49 | POLICE | APRIL 2023
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