Why This Cornish Labrador Is Walking 300 Miles Around the Coast

A two-year-old black Labrador called Luna is currently bounding her way around the Cornish coast, and there’s a heartwarming reason behind every paw print.

Luna and her owner, Tom Miles, 49, from Lostwithiel, have set off on a 300-mile walk along the Cornwall coastline to raise money and awareness for ShelterBox. The pair started their journey in Bude and hope to reach Plymouth in under two weeks.

📷Luna is having fund adventuring while raising crucial funds for ShelterBox

Twenty-Five Miles a Day, with Sea Swims

Tom is making no secret of how tough the route is, but Luna seems to be taking it all in her stride.

“Luna is young and fit so she’s loving it and swims at every beach,” Tom said. “We’re walking around 20 to 25 miles a day. It’s crazy hilly, so the days are long, but there will be plenty of camping, wagging tails, and sea swims along the way.”

The Labrador-Collie cross has clearly found her calling.

📷Luna and her human Tom are camping during their 300 mile walk

From Volunteer to Fundraiser

The challenge wasn’t a spur of the moment idea. Tom was inspired to take it on after volunteering with ShelterBox and speaking at community events about the charity’s work around the world.

“ShelterBox is a Cornwall based charity, and I really want to shine a light on the amazing work they do,” Tom said. “I’ve visited so many beautiful parts of Cornwall and wanted to link them all together in one big adventure to raise crucial funds.”

Since being established in 2000, ShelterBox has supported more than 3 million people across around 100 countries with shelter and essential items like water filters, solar lights, blankets, and mosquito nets. The charity is currently supporting people displaced in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and Sudan.

📷Luna will be walking the entire Cornish coastline to raise funds for ShelterBox

“An Extraordinary Ambassador”

ShelterBox’s Community Engagement Officer, John Stanbury, paid tribute to the pair.

“Tom is an extraordinary Ambassador for ShelterBox, volunteering his time to amplify the voices of the people we support,” John said.

“Our volunteers often give brilliant talks and then never know what those in the audience might go on to do next. I’m so glad Tom knows the difference Luna will make with this epic fundraising challenge. We are so proud of them both.”

📷Luna and her human Tom are walking 300 miles to raise funds for ShelterBox

Follow Luna’s Paw Powered Adventure

Tom’s son Ash has set up a fundraising page and given Luna her own presence on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, where she’ll be sharing updates from the road (and the beach, and probably the sea).

📷A family supported by ShelterBox and Islamic Relief Pakistan after severe flooding in Pakistan

📷ShelterBox supports people with shelter and items like solar lights. Pakistan

📷ShelterBox supports people with shelter and items like mosquito nets. Cameroon

📷ShelterBox supports people with shelter and items like sleeping mats. Bangladesh

📷Luna is stopping to swim during her charity trek

📷Luna is walking the coastline with her human Tom