Plymouth race walker becomes oldest to complete Parish Walk
Fundraiser Edmund Shillabeer succeeded in his record attempt to become the oldest person to complete an 85-mile walk in less than 24 hours for assistance dog charity Canine Partners.
Determined Edmund, 75, trekked mainly uphill and down dale in 20 hours 54 minutes and 34 seconds to come 76th in this year’s Manx Telecom Parish Walk, Isle of Man, on Saturday 20 June. Only 175 of the 1,500 walkers who started completed the distance inside the 24-hour time limit.
The vet, who has never missed a scheduled day at his Harwell Veterinary Centre in 45 years since qualifying in 1964, has so far raised £516.12 which will help the Charity to train more assistance dogs, transforming the lives of people with disabilities.
Edmund, of Peverell in Devon, said: “I have to be well satisfied with being the oldest ever finisher and 76th with nearly 100 behind me! There were nearly 1,500 starters, about two thirds of which aimed only to reach Peel which was 32.5 miles along the Parish Walk course.
“Many of those retired, or were stopped by the medics, before that milestone but I pressed on and enjoyed a good spell of walking under the afternoon sun. There was a welcome warmth after mist and fog earlier in the day, and hills with easier gradients than the infamous ‘Sloc’. As the sun went down, the steepness of the gradients went up! The inevitable slowing coupled with darkness reduced my average speed until I struggled to keep over 4.5mph. Along the prom for the last mile or so at least it was flat but the rain came in. Unfortunate for those still to close in!
“All I want now is for supporters to stump up for Canine Partners' assistance dogs.”
Canine Partners was formed in 1990 so is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. They have partnered 530 assistance dogs across the UK to date. These amazing dogs have changed the lives of those they are helping: restoring independence, giving family members peace of mind, allowing their disabled partners to return to work and even saving lives by responding in emergencies.
The Charity trains dogs to perform tasks such as opening and closing doors, undressing, pressing buttons, retrieving items, unloading washing machines, taking card and cash from ATMs and other everyday tasks that disabled people find difficult, painful or impossible to do for themselves.
Holly Bryan, Events and Challenge Co-ordinator, said: “Edmund did a fantastic job in completing the walk and in becoming a record holder for the oldest person to finish it.
“Canine Partners does not receive any government funding and relies solely on donations so the money he raised will help us to train more assistance dogs in the Charity’s 25th anniversary year.”
Edmund finished 17th in 2009 when only 187 of the 1,276 finished the brutal course. He did it in a time of 17 hours 51 minutes and 8 seconds – the fastest debut time by a visitor on the very hilly course.
To sponsor Edmund please visit justgiving.com/edmund-shillabeer3.
If you would like to complete an event or challenge in aid of Canine Partners please contact Holly Bryan on 01730 716013 or hollyb@caninepartners.org.uk.
