Mission accomplished – dedicated Delia completes 100 mile walk for ShelterBox  

A fundraiser from Devon has successfully walked 100 miles in August with her very special companion, a teddy named TTT, to raise funds for the international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox.

Delia Kennedy, who is approaching her 80th year, set herself a formidable challenge to walk 100 miles each month for charity, with ShelterBox being her chosen charity for August.

Completing the challenge ahead of time, Delia says: “I'm thrilled to have accomplished my 100 miles within the first two weeks of August, despite the English weather not always being on my side!

“I am grateful that at my age I still have my health and I like to push myself, so I aim to do 10 miles a day. This way it feels like a real challenge. Although, sometimes it’s more the weather that’s the challenging part.

“My favourite days of walking are when TTT and I are beside the water, as there is so much wildlife and nature to see. We've seen lots of colourful dragonflies and butterflies which is really encouraging and been accompanied by swans and cygnets gliding along beside us. I love to see the bullrushes standing tall alongside the canal too.

“I really enjoy walking and I always make it a priority to finish somewhere close to coffee and cake, but doing it for an important cause makes it even more enjoyable.”

Delia, who lives near Cullompton, has so far raised nearly £200 for ShelterBox, which specialises in emergency shelter aid for people affected by disaster and conflict. The funds raised by supporters like Delia helps the charity support people across the world with different combinations of locally appropriate emergency shelter aid and essential household items.  

Delia continues: “This isn’t the first time I’ve fundraised for ShelterBox. I’ve been a supporter for many years so, with support from Exe Valley Rotary Club, I’m pleased to be able to help again and raise money and awareness for such important issues. To know the money I’m raising goes towards helping support people in dreadful situations, makes the miles I walk feel easy.”  

Community Fundraising Officer for ShelterBox, Louisa Arnold, says: 'We’ve really enjoyed following Delia's challenge and receiving frequent updates and photos from her walks.  

“We are always grateful when people choose to support ShelterBox, whether that’s volunteering with us, fundraising, or raising awareness. It all helps and the support of people like Delia is crucial to funding our responses and supporting people affected by disaster and conflict around the world.” 

ShelterBox is currently supporting individuals affected by the worst drought to hit East Africa in 40 years, monsoon flooding in Pakistan, and the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.

As well as responding to extreme weather events and disasters, ShelterBox also supports people who have had to flee their homes or had them damaged, because of conflict. ShelterBox is working in Ukraine, Yemen, Syria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.  

For more information about Delia’s challenge and how to show your support, please visit Justgiving.com 

To find out more about fundraising for ShelterBox, visit shelterbox.org.