Retired Worcestershire Vicar Begins 700-Mile Walk from Land’s End to Scottish Border to Raise Funds for ShelterBox

Dave Foster, 71, a retired vicar from Worcestershire, began a sponsored 700-mile walk from Land’s End to the Scottish border on Saturday to raise money for the disaster relief charity ShelterBox. The trek will take him north to Berwick-upon-Tweed on the Scottish border, with a target finish date of July 4 after eight weeks on the route.

Foster stopped at ShelterBox’s Truro headquarters the day after he began his walk.

He is undertaking the journey to support ShelterBox, a disaster relief charity founded by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in 2000. ShelterBox, of which Queen Camilla is Patron, said it had sent a message of support to Foster. GB News reported that the charity responds to the immediate aftermath of earthquakes, floods or conflict by providing families with basic tools to survive and begin rebuilding.

Foster has set a fundraising target of £20,000. That sum is enough to provide 50 family tents or 1,000 thermal blankets. According to his JustGiving page, he has raised just over £9,300 so far. The route includes steep coastal paths, unpredictable weather and the full 268-mile length of the Pennine Way.

In 2023 Foster completed a 425-mile trek across the width of England and Wales, raising more than £10,000 for ShelterBox, GB News reported citing the BBC. Foster said the new challenge builds on years of involvement with the charity. "After retiring, I had the opportunity to take on a new challenge – walking further and for longer than I'd ever done before and using that to raise funds for an inspiring cause like ShelterBox," he said.

He added that this year's effort is more ambitious in both distance and fundraising target. "This year the walk is much longer and more challenging, exciting but daunting too. I hope I'll be able to repay the trust of everyone who's supported me," Foster said.

He has expressed gratitude for the support of Rotary clubs along the route. Foster highlighted the charity's track record. "With the support of Rotary and other international partners, ShelterBox has been supporting those who have been left without shelter, and with very little essentials to stay alive, for over 25 years," he said.

The former vicar described himself as daunted but excited as he set off from the very tip of England through rugged and scenic terrain. The challenge equates to walking the distance of more than 26 marathons over eight weeks. ShelterBox was established to supply a tent, a blanket and essential supplies that can mark the first steps toward recovery for families who have lost everything.