Jamie Pinnick and Zeus are aiming to raise funds and awareness for veterans’ charities
Jamie Pinnick and Zeus on their travels around the UK coastline(Image: Jamie Pinnick)
One man and his dog have set out to walk the entire UK coastline, a journey that is estimated will take them between three and four years to complete. Jamie Pinnick is a homeless veteran who is now on day 40 of the challenge with faithful companion, Zeus, by his side.
Having had support from both Hull 4 Heroes and North East Lincolnshire (NEL) 4 Heroes, Jamie is determined to raise funds for both charities so they can help other veterans who find themselves in the same position as him. He also wants to highlight the issues of homelessness and mental health for veterans in general.
Jamie set out from Ellesmere Port, the last place he was working, at a garage, and was making progress along the Welsh coastline at the time of speaking to Hull Live, having just crossed into Anglesey. “We’ve been through all sorts – mud, bogs and wallowing in some places,” said Jamie, who is from Grimsby.
“We’ve had to backtrack in some places, which is adding to the journey.” He posted on day 39 of their travels about spending an extra night in a bothy to take advantage of the fire and shelter available, saying: “Today has been the longest yet, 15 miles done, but was probably more… safe to say, we are both exhausted. It needed to be done, tho, just to get back to some sort of civilisation. “
The former Army driver said he found a way of getting himself off drugs and “sorting my life out” when he joined up, and made some “great mates” who he served alongside. However, he ended up leaving the Forces “for my mental health” and had a number of jobs.
“I’ve not had a house since I left the Army; I’ve slept in a garage; I’ve slept in a van. Everything kept falling through,” Jamie said: “I have recently been trying to claim benefits but I am unable to do so as I’m not in the location of my care-of address.
“Given what I am doing, and the fact I am homeless, I’m not going to be at that address.” Jamie is carrying as much as he can for himself and Zeus – his pet has his own sleeping bag and two different jackets – for their adventure which will involve camping out in all weathers. The veteran is relying on what funds he has available – “I didn’t set off completely broke” – goodwill of people along the way and the support of the veterans’ charities on his walk.
“There has been a lot of public generosity and Steve [Sampher, chair of NEL 4 Heroes] has been sending me vouchers that I can spend in, say, Asda to get food for me and Zeus. If anyone wants to donate some food or something to help keep me and Zeus going, that’s one thing, but if it is money they want to give, I don’t want that; I’d rather they give to the appeal.”
Jamie has set up a Crowdfunder appeal page, Walking the Coastline of the UK, on which he says: “I will be walking approximately 19,000 miles around the UK coastline staying as close to the coast as possible. My journey started around Ellesmere Port where my situation took a turn for the worst and where I decided to do something proactive to potentially help other veterans not be in my position.
“I believe everyone should have a home, especially those that have given everything for their country. This is my way of trying to give back to the community of veterans.”
Jamie is also documenting the challenge on the Facebook page Zeus On A Wonder, providing nightly updates for his followers. He said: “I think the whole thing will take about three years – maybe four, depending on how you define the coastline. You adapt each day according to what happens.
“It’s definitely not going to be easy. If it’s a bad day, I think, there will be a worse one than this but there will also be a better one – I am 100 per cent going to see this through.
“The best part so far has been the people and those interactions I have had and the messages of support I have had. It’s also the scenery I am getting to see – up until now this is the best thing I have ever done.
“There’s nowhere in the UK where I’ve felt is home. Grimsby I loved but I also have a lot of bad memories there.
“I don’t have a massive family. I’m hopeful that as I’m passing through somewhere on this walk that I think, this is where I want to be.”
Paul Matson, of Hull 4 Heroes, said: “What Jamie and his trusted companion Zeus have taken on is an extraordinary challenge. Although Jamie has faced a difficult chapter in his life, he has chosen to transform adversity into something positive and purposeful.
“We at Hull 4 Heroes are incredibly proud of his determination and will be supporting them every step of the way.” Steve Sampher of NEL 4 Heroes, said it was a “monumental task” that Jamie and Zeus were taking on.
“Jamie reached out to us early last year when he was homeless, sofa-surfing and living in a tent in Weelsby Woods,” he said. With the help of Hull 4 Heroes, Steve said Jamie was accommodated out of the area, and into employment.
“It all went south, through no fault of Jamie’s. Rather than giving up, he’s chosen to seize the moment and set himself an incredible challenge. This walk is about resilience, companionship and finding purpose during a difficult time.”
Steve said he hoped people would spread the word about the challenge so that wherever Jamie and Zeus found themselves in the UK, local communities, organisations and veterans could offer encouragement, a warm welcome or practical support if needed.
“Jamie is turning a massive negative into a positive; it’s going to be an epic journey.”
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