1000 miles for Hero service animals

In this heartwarming epic, Countess, Lady B embarks on a 1,000-mile cycling journey across the British Isles on her Porsche e-bike, in support of retired service animals. Battling the weather and impatient drivers from Lands End to John O'Groats she meets heroic officers and their loyal dogs and horses. A love letter to the unbreakable bond between humans and animals working to protect and serve.

Currently looking for distribution

Please contact film@cotswoldtv.com for PASSWORD access to the film below.

90 sec Trailer

5 min PREVIEW

FULL Feature Length Documentary FILM

Synopsis

In this heartwarming epic tale, Countess Bathurst, affectionately known as ‘Lady B’, a spirited and compassionate British aristocrat, embarks on a remarkable journey to honour the brave service dogs and horses who’ve served the British nation. As the founder of a cherished charity for retired service animals, she sets out to raise awareness and funds by cycling 1,000 miles from the picturesque coast of Cornwall to the rugged Highlands of Scotland on her Porsche e-bike accompanied by cycling cops, friends and supporters.

Along the way, Lady B meets heroic service men and women from across the six services the charity supports, and their loyal canine and equestrian partners. The Police, Prison Service, Fire and Rescue and Border Force - hearing their extraordinary stories of courage and dedication. Facing Britain’s famously unpredictable weather, grueling climbs, and the frustration of road-sharing with impatient drivers, her unwavering determination and charm win over hearts across the country.

Filled with laughter, heartfelt encounters and inspiring moments, Pedals and Paws celebrates the resilience of the human and canine spirit, the breathtaking beauty of the British Isles, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their four-legged heroes. Shining a positive light for once on the humans and animals working to keep us all safe and secure.

A love letter to Britain, it's service people and heroic animals.

Produced in partnership with the NFRSA (National Foundation for Retired Service Animals)

A story with it all!

  • As the Countess heads through the British Isles she is joined by the wife to the former British Ambassador to Iran (among other things)… and of course her husband, the Earl shows his loving support both from the 15,000 acre Cotswold Estate and surprising her along the way.

  • … and mounted officers from the police, prison, border force, fire & rescue, NCA and NHS. An intimate insight into the lives of our brave emergency service personnel from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands. 

  • Cycling to help the lives of dogs and horses at the end of their working service - a situation leaving them with an unfunded retirement as their handlers can’t let them go - whilst also needing to train new dogs. Dogs who in their careers save countless lives from lost children to the elderly with dementia.

  • Travelling the length of the UK the ever changing cycling group take us on a tour of beautiful British scenery and people from drones, action cameras and more. Blessed with the weather (both for drama and beauty) The top and bottom of Britain really shine.

  • Not content with just the heart warming story of heroic people, dogs and horses - Pedals and Paws explores the challenges of riding 1000 miles on the British roads - Exploring the issues with a team of ever changing cycling TV celebs. Along with the ‘simple’ task of riding a bike! ;-)

  • A contenious aspect of the ‘challenge’ for the trolls but also a fascinating insight into how the e-bikes compare to the wide range of bikes used by the accompanying cyclists. How much easier really is it?

  • Lady Bathurst

    THE COUNTESS

    Founder of the NFRSA charity and the protagonist of this great cycling adventure from Lands End to John O’Groats

  • Alice Macaire

    THE AMBASSADOR’S WIFE

    Lady B’s best friend… and someone who found themselves along for the ever growing ride!

  • Services & Animals


    A 21 day cycle through Britain with the people, dogs and horses from the Police, Prison, Border Force, Fire as well as NCA and NHS

  • LORD BATHURST

    THE EARL

    The husband to Lady B, her biggest fan and ‘causer of tears’

Also Starring

  • Ben Miller

  • Jackie Lewellyn-Bowen

  • Nicky Johnston

  • Nick Knowles

  • John Innverdale

  • Joe Simpson

  • Dr Dawn Harper

  • Tom Gaymor

  • Grace Kennedy

tom wakefield

DIRECTOR

“In 2023 I was in earshot of an event that was about to happen - filming or not - I decided as a production company in the Cotswolds to take on the challenge - and just do it! Following a Countess and Service Dog Handlers on bikes for 1000 miles!

With 21 days of filming and around 2000 hours of editing from Lands End to John O'Groats, Pedals & Paws is an observational documentary of approx 1 hour 45 mins that could be cut up into episodes or run as sunday afternoon epic - covering it all from e-bikes and aristocrats, to cops and dogs.”

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