When the High Sheriff of Dorset set out from Charmouth in June, she had more than 200 miles ahead of her.
Four stages later, Dr Helena Conibear has passed the halfway point and this October her journey will bring her back to Lyme Regis.
We first introduced Helena’s ambitious County Line Walk in LymeLiving earlier this year, a challenge which would see her walk 216 miles around Dorset’s boundary in five stages, beginning on the coast in Charmouth and eventually returning to Lyme Regis at the end of this month.
However, this was never just a story about the miles walked – the High Sheriff’s challenge carried an important message across the county.
The route has been deliberately designed to take Helena through communities across Dorset to start conversations about county lines, criminal exploitation and the vulnerability of children and young people, all while aiming to raise £10,000 for charities working to improve opportunities for children across Dorset.
The High Sheriff has been accompanied by many people who have pulled on their hiking boots and joined in along the way.
At 8am on 25 June, Helena set off from the Coastwatch Lookout in Charmouth, heading towards Abbotsbury.
At West Bay Discovery Centre, walkers were welcomed by the mayor and mayoress of Bridport, representatives from The Sir John Colfox Academy, Bridport Youth Community Centre, Harmony and the Sea Cadets.
Day three took 17 walkers 11 miles from Abbotsbury towards Portland and Helena was accompanied by students and staff from Atlantic Academy.
By the time Helena reached Portland, she had covered 30 miles and raised £4,000.
Stage two of the walk began at The Front Skatepark in Weymouth, one of the charities Helena is supporting through the challenge.
Over 300 young members use the skatepark, which provides a safe space to learn new skills and find a sense of community, exactly the kind of preventative provision the walk aims to champion.
From there, 34 walkers headed toward Lulworth Cove, covering 12 miles, around 33,000 steps and temperatures reaching 30 degrees.
The next stretch took Helena through some of Dorset’s most dramatic coastline, with 58 walkers collectively joining her over the four days and around 70 miles added to her total.
By stage three, Helena’s boots had carried her from Sandbanks to Sixpenny Handley.
Dorset Police also joined the walk, with Chief Inspector Jamie Halford accompanying a section between Sandbanks and Christchurch.
He said: “While Dorset remains a safe place to live, the county is not immune from criminal gangs which coerce and control young people, drawing them into drug networks and violence.”
Communities have come out to meet her during her challenge, from mayors, police cadets and schools, to Rotary and Royal British Legion members, volunteers, farmers and community groups, with walkers ranging from age 11 to 95.
By the end of stage three, Helena had crossed the halfway point of her journey. She said: “As I travel through Dorset, I am continually moved and inspired by the community organisations and individuals I meet who work so hard for the people of our county.”
By the time this edition of LymeLiving lands, Helena will also have completed stage four of the challenge, through north and west Dorset, from Tollard Royal to Halstock.
From 21 to 25 October, Helena will walk from Halstock back to Lyme Regis, completing her journey around the county boundary.
For the final stretch, members and staff from Lyme Regis Town Council plan to join her from Lambert’s Castle, following the old packhorse route into Lyme and ending at the Boat Building Academy.
The academy will host a reception for the High Sheriff, with youth organisations from across Lyme invited to come together and hear more about the campaign.
Anyone is welcome to join the final walk into Lyme and to find out more or register your interest in joining them, email highsheriffdorset@gmail.com.
What is county lines?
County lines is a form of criminal exploitation in which organised networks use children, young people and vulnerable adults to move and sell drugs and other items.
The people being exploited can come from all backgrounds, which is why prevention alongside early intervention and providing young people with safe places they can go, trusted adults and a sense of belonging are so important.