The campaign to have a guide dog puppy named after police dog Finn who was seriously injured after being stabbed in Stevenage in October, has taken a bound forward after generous donations from businesses and members of the public.

Finn’s handler PC Dave Wardell who was also injured in the incident and chairman of Stevenage branch of Guide Dogs Sean Dilley, launched the campaign to raise £5,000 to pay for a guide dog puppy to be named after Finn and trained up.

Newmarket firm Smarter Metering Services came forward with the final £1,500 yesterday.

Sean who is himself a guide dog owner, said he was delighted the total has been reached.

“We always knew the public were 100 per cent behind Dave and Finn and the wider police force, but we were totally blown away that the target was reached before new year.

“On a personal note I know how much this means to Dave and his family and it takes yet another positive from PD Finn’s negative experience,” he said.

“Guide Dog Finn will ultimately give independence to a blind or partially sited person.”

Dave and Sean have also helped back a campaign to have the status of police dogs changed in law so those who attack them face stiffer punishments and the proposal is being looked at by parliament at the moment.

After recovering from his severe injuries Finn returned to work just before Christmas and took a well earned break over the festive period with Dave and his family.

Dave wrote on his online blog just before Christmas: “I have Finn to thank for me coming home alive that day, or possibly another officer does, as, if we hadn’t been there that night, what might have happened to another officer?

“So, yes the year has been extremely challenging at times. But I’ve learnt a lot and now that my boy is back, this Christmas, thanks to him, is going to be truly great.”

You can follow Finn’s story on Dave’s blog here.You can also find the campaign on twitter @Davewardell and @seandilleyNEWS.