Retired vicar to walk 425 miles for ShelterBox disaster relief charity

David Foster, 68, is hoping to raise £12,000 for ShelterBox when he walks from Lowestoft, the easternmost point of England, to the westernmost tip of Wales near St David’s.

The charity offers emergency shelter aid and supports people who have lost their homes to disaster, extreme weather events, and conflict.

Mr Foster, who moved to Evesham after retiring in 2021, is hoping to complete the 425-mile trek in about five weeks.

David says: “I’ve wanted to do this walk across England and Wales for years, and I’m sure it will be a life-changer for me.

“Back in the day, my Queen’s Scout expedition challenge was to walk the 25 highest peaks in Wales, from the Black Mountains to Snowdonia.

“We didn't quite make it to the end, but I'm looking forward to revisiting some of that route as part of my coast-to-coast walk.

“By raising money for ShelterBox, I want to make a life-changing difference to others as well – people for whom a tent is not what you carry on your back for a challenge but the key to survival.”

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Dave Foster and his wife, Gerry (Image: ShelterBox)

ShelterBox is currently helping people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, as well as those displaced by weather events such as the floods in Pakistan and the drought in East Africa.

Community fundraising officer for ShelterBox, Louisa Arnold, said: “ShelterBox was founded by a Rotary club in Cornwall in 2000 and since then we’ve supported more than 2.5 million people across 98 countries.

“That’s only possible with supporters like David who raise awareness and crucial funds for our work around the world. Every response is different, and so we tailor our aid packages to the needs of disaster-affected people, listening to what communities need.”

 Mr Foster added: “I first heard about ShelterBox through a friend in Rotary and I was immediately captivated – it was such a simple, practical way to get immediate life-giving help to where it’s most needed.   

“The focus may change – floods in Pakistan, conflict in Ukraine, earthquake in Turkey - but when disaster strikes, people need immediate shelter and tools for survival before they can start to build again.”

David Foster is raising money for ShelterBox because he wants to make a life-changing difference to others (Image: ShelterBox)

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Mr Foster will set off this Saturday, May 20.

His route will largely follow existing long-distance paths and trails, such as the Angles Way, Cotswold Way, and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

The terrain is such that Mr Foter will need to climb nearly 32,800 feet along the way.

Visit www.shelterboots.uk to find out more or donate.