Lifelong Friends Walk 100 Miles Across The South Downs With Dogs For Charity

Wednesday, 30 June 2021 06:00

Two lifelong friends are taking on a 100-mile trek across the South Downs complete with a custom-built dog buggy to push their aging four-legged friends, all to raise money for two special charities.

Old school pals of 45-years, David Allison from Hastings and Geoff Pride from Tunbridge Wells, planned the walk with their dogs — Dave’s working cocker Rusty and Geoff’s venerable terrier Ruby, aged 14 — the equivalent of 95 in human years.

And while the human walkers will have to take every step of the 100-mile journey stretching across the chalky rolling hillsides of Southern England, Geoff’s aging dog will be able to put her paws up and enjoy the scenery whenever they tire thanks to the dog buggy being pushed the entire length of the walk.

The pair took off for their week-long trek from Winchester on June 24 and are due to arrive in Eastbourne today (Wednesday, June 30). They have so far raised almost £4,000 for Dogs’ Trust and Parkinson’s UK via their Virgin Money Giving page.

Photos courtesy of Will Thomas Freeman

Before the walk, Geoff said:

“I’m really looking forward to this adventure with Dave, one of my very best school friends from 45 years ago, and his top dog Rusty. I am, of course, taking my faithful dog Ruby, who is now almost 14! That’s why we’re pushing her dog buggy for the whole 100 miles: she can just jump in when she gets tired and relax for the rest of the day.

“It's a little payback for being such a wonderful family dog and for all the unconditional love she’s given us. This could be our last big adventure together, so it’s going to be very special. And it’s also why we’re doing it for Dogs Trust.”

The walk was divided into lengths of between 8.5 and 21 miles, starting from the historic cathedral city of Winchester and following the South Downs Way as it wends its way through picture postcard villages near Petersfield, Midhurst and Lewes onwards to the seaside town of Eastbourne.

Dave added:

“I had two big reasons to go for Parkinson’s UK as well as Dogs Trust. First, my lovely Dad was recently diagnosed with the condition. And second, my dear friend Mark died last year as a result of complications related to one of the drugs he was taking for Parkinson’s — also a great dog lover, he had a Jack Russell called ‘Trousers’, a name which he considered to be comedy gold.

“The work Parkinson’s UK is doing to support and find a cure for people like my dad and Mark is amazing — £40 will pay for a whole month of nutrients to grow brain cells for research. The buggy awaits — I just hope our knees can take it!”

You can sponsor David and Geoff at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/DaveandGeoff