Walking The County Line of Dorset for County Lines

Aim

Between June and October, I’m walking 200 miles around Dorset's border to shine a light on County Lines and child exploitation in Dorset

Turning county boundaries into protection, not exploitation

Between June 25th and the end of October, I’m walking over 200 miles around Dorset’s county line to shine a light on county lines exploitation—where vulnerable children and adults are drawn into drug networks, violence and are coerced and controlled by criminal gangs. Dorset has 19 known operational county  lines and some of the highest drug deaths in the country. Child exploitation is hidden in plain sight, with the youngest child trapped in county lines Dorset being  aged just 8.   

In my year as the High Sheriff  of Dorset, my role is to highlight the challenges to our judiciary, our police and emergency services and the wonderful people who live in the County. So this is not just a walk, it is about awareness, prevention and supporting the services and  charities that work every day to protect us and work up stream to ensure those most vulnerable to exploitation are kept safe.

This is Dorset. Walking together to protect its most vulnerable.

💛 How your donation will help

Your support will go directly ( via The Dorset Shrieval Charitable Trust) towards charities who work with vulnerable young people across Dorset providing opportunity, safe spaces. skills or diversionary activities. Chosen charities include Future Roots, Escape Line, The Front Line Skate Park, Dorset Youth, YMCA Bournemouth and The Talk About Trust Drug Education Charity. 

💛Every donation will help us turn awareness into action.

• £25  -keeps me walking every step counts!
• £50 - and Z my dog says he'll join me every step of the way!
• £100 – Really begins to make a difference to young lives
• £250– Will really help improve opportunity and life chances
• But any and every donation helps 

💛 Sponsor a specific leg of the walk

Each stage is made up of individual daily walks of 10 - 12 miles. You can:

• Choose a leg (for example: Charmouth → West Bay)
• Make a donation of any amount
• Leave a message naming the day you are sponsoring

Your support will be linked to that part of the journey as it happens.

Why this walk matters

Across Dorset, hidden in plain sight, vulnerable children from all types of backgrounds are drawn into County Lines and criminally exploited. I in 9 of our children ( 12% )have been asked to commit a criminal act, and one in 4 of those do.. Those at increased risk  include children living  in  deprivation; experiencing parental substance misuse; having learning difficulties; with mental health challenges; being in care or excluded from school. Over 40% of offences in the prison population are linked to drugs, and many individuals are themselves trapped in dependency.

This walk is about:

• Raising awareness and equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to stay safer
• Supporting organisations that provide opportunity, hope and skills to vulnerable young people
• Standing with organisations creating safer futures, safer spaces and secure environments for young people

The journey

I will be walking the county boundary in five stages, about 216 miles.

Stage 1: Charmouth → Portland (25–27 June)
Stage 2: Weymouth → Sandbanks (9–12 July)
Stage 3: Sandbanks → Cranborne (5–8 August)
Stage 4: Shaftesbury → Sherborne (23–26 September)
 Stage 5: Sherborne /Chedington → Lyme Regis (21–25 October)

Along the way, I will be joined by the coastguard, volunteer organisations, and local supporters. Please do join me. You can email me via [email protected] and you can find more details via: High Sheriff walk details and updates

Funds raised will support 10 local Dorset charities, including:

• Future Roots
• YMCA Bournemouth
• Escape Line
• The Front Skate Park
• The Talk About Trust Drug Education Charity
• Dorset Youth

Each organisation plays a vital role in providing awareness and education, diversionary activities or supporting young people affected by  deprivation, homelessness, lack of opportunity education or skills, exploitation or vulnerability.

Join the journey You can take part by:

• Walking a mile, a day, or a full stage
• Hosting or supporting us along the route
• Or donating whatever you can

Every step counts and every donation helps protect a young person

Thank you so much for your support. Read more about my walk

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 16th August 2026 at 9:20am