Hundred-mile trekker to camp out in Kenilworth

Shane Kennedy, 35, will be camping right outside Jubilee House on Thursday October 15 before walking to Warwick University and then Coventry the morning after, where his journey will then end.

Mr Kennedy, director of the non-profit organisation Sled Dogs As Therapy, said: “I lived in Kenilworth for quite a bit and it has a special place in the heart of our family.”

Mr Kennedy started his journey on October 7 in No Man’s Heath, the northernmost point in Warwickshire, with his Alaskan Malamute sled dog called Koda, who kept him company and helped him share the load.

From there, he headed south to Little Compton in the Cotswolds near the border with Oxfordshire, before he turned around and headed back north through Warwickshire.

Along his journey, Mr Kennedy used no hotels or hostels and took all of his own equipment with him.

He added: “I wanted to keep the journey local instead of doing something like Everest or Kilimanjaro because people can come out and see you, and Warwickshire’s a big county.”

“We’ve had some tough times, but the journey has all gone to plan, and Koda’s doing fine.

Mr Kennedy founded Sled Dogs As Therapy after seeing an interview with a disabled military veteran whose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly improved after being given an assistance dog to help ease his symptoms.

The organisation uses sled dogs like Koda in schools, mental health organisations and charities such as Help for Heroes to provide support to those suffering with mental health illnesses such as PTSD.

Mr Kennedy is still accepting donations, and anyone wishing to donate should visit his Just Giving page at justgiving.com/Shane-Kennedy1.