Labrador sets off on 300-mile Cornwall coastline walk for ShelterBox
A two-year-old black Labrador from Cornwall has set off on an epic 300-mile coastal walk to raise money and awareness for charity.
Luna and her owner, Tom Miles, from Lostwithiel, are walking the entire Cornwall coastline in support of ShelterBox.
The pair began their challenge in Bude and hope to reach Plymouth in less than two weeks, covering between 20 and 25 miles each day.
Tom said Luna has taken to the adventure with ease.
“Luna is young and fit so she’s loving it and swims at every beach,” he said.
“We're walking around 20 to 25 miles a day. It’s crazy hilly, so the days are long, but there will be plenty of camping, wagging tails and sea swims along the way.”
Tom was inspired to take on the challenge after volunteering with ShelterBox, where he regularly speaks at community events about the charity’s humanitarian work across the world.
Founded in Cornwall in 2000, ShelterBox has supported more than three million people across around 100 countries by providing emergency shelter and essential aid items including water filters, solar lights, blankets and mosquito nets.
The charity is currently supporting displaced people in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria and Sudan.
Tom said he wanted to highlight the organisation’s work while combining it with his love of Cornwall’s coastline.
“ShelterBox is a Cornwall-based charity, and I really want to shine a light on the amazing work they do,” he said.
“I’ve visited so many beautiful parts of Cornwall and wanted to link them all together in one big adventure to raise crucial funds.”
ShelterBox Community Engagement Officer John Stanbury praised the fundraising effort.
He said: “Tom is an extraordinary ambassador for ShelterBox, volunteering his time to amplify the voices of the people we support.
“Our volunteers often give brilliant talks and then never know what those in the audience might go on to do next.
“I’m so glad Tom knows the difference Luna will make with this epic fundraising challenge. We are so proud of them both.”
To document the challenge, Tom’s son Ash has created a fundraising page and social media accounts for Luna, sharing updates from the Labrador-collie cross’s journey around the Cornish coast.