Local man, Ian Kerr puts his best foot forward to raise funds for Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare and Helping Rhinos

Ian’s 240km walk to recovery helps two animal charities

Ian Kerr, 75, from East Dean, is putting his best foot forward to help local charity, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, and international charity Helping Rhinos, and walking an incredible 240km over 6 weeks.

Ian recently had a major operation on his back and his doctors have encouraged him to walk, gradually building up the distance, to enhance his recovery.  Aiming for a distance of 10 – 15kms per day, Ian has set himself the challenge of completing 240kms – the equivalent of walking to Dieppe and back – and the target of raising at least £1,000 for each of his chosen charities.

Ian is a Trustee for both Raystede and Helping Rhinos.  He says, “I am really fond of both these charities. I go to Raystede and look at all the animals there and I want to adopt them.  I go to Africa, occasionally, and see the rhinos and the awful tragedy of the orphan rhinos when their mothers have been killed and their horns taken.”

So far, Ian’s walk is going well and he is pain-free. “I am enjoying doing my daily walk first thing in the morning when the sun is rising,” says Ian. “There aren’t really challenges at the moment, other than not being able to identify all the wildflowers along the way and not being able to take my dog, Tim, a four year old rescue Collie Shepherd cross, in case he pulls my stitches out.”

Ian is well on the way to recovery as well as already exceeding his target of £1,000 each for Raystede and Helping Rhinos. Ian says, “It’s an exciting challenge for two wonderful charities helping animals locally and internationally and I’m looking forward to achieving my target.”

Stephanie Smith, CEO of Raystede, says, “Ian is a dedicated Trustee and a massive supporter of Raystede.  Whenever he sets out to do something, he achieves it, and I know he will smash this challenge too.  Thank you from all of us at Raystede and good luck!”

Simon Jones, Founder and CEO of Helping Rhinos, adds, “Ian is very passionate about his charity work and we're delighted to have him as our Chairman. He is committed to helping provide a better world for the animals he works tirelessly for, and I have no doubt he will achieve his incredible goal of walking the equivalent distance from his home in Sussex to Dieppe and back. Good Luck Ian from everyone at Helping Rhinos."

Ian is calling on people to support him and his chosen charities by either walking virtually with him each day or by donating via his JustGiving page Ian's Recovery Walk to Dieppe fundraising on JustGiving