Portland man takes on epic dog walk to Yorkshire for NSPCC
Stephen Yates wanted to back the charity after he was abused as a child
A Dorset artist, who suffered abuse as a child, has raised over £3,200 for the NSPCC.
Stephen Yates from Portland walked his dog Jack for 270 miles - from the island to his birthplace in Yorkshire.
The pair carried out their epic challenge after building up the miles on practice walks, carrying all the kit they'd need - Labrador Collie cross Jack even had his own bag to carry dog food supplies!
Stephen said that completing the walk had been a 'cathartic' experience, particularly as he was returning to the childhood home where he had been abused.
He said that he had kept his abuse a secret for many years and had never told his mother about what had happened to him as a child - she passed away last year, aged 95.
Stephen said: "The walk was for me about going home, about going back to that place. I had a sense that this would help me process what had happened to me. What I found was that I didn’t quite fit there anymore.
“The thing I will remember most is the people I met along the way, they were total strangers to me, but they showed such kindness.
“It was a wonderful experience, to take that time to look around your surroundings and take things in – you don’t get that time very often. I was also able to return to the places I spent time in as a child and see them once more.
“It has totally changed, and it was not the place I remember as a child. My memories are strong and quite powerful and it was good to revisit that. It was worth it and it made me very humble about meeting so many strangers who were so kind.”
Stephen has previously supported the NSPCC by running the London Marathon and trekking the Great Wall of China.
He's also produced an art exhibition linked to his journey which is on display at Shaftesbury Arts Centre.
That runs until December 2nd.
Reflecting on his adventures Stephen added:
“It has changed me in some way, it has helped me to look back on my life. But life is complicated and you can get distracted by daily stuff and there comes a time when you need to reflect.”
Stephen said he was delighted to raise so much money for the NSPCC with his trek:
“I am absolutely over the moon, I was shocked to raise so much. I was aiming to raise £1,500 so to more than double that is fantastic and hope will help fund vital services for children.”