A CHEPSTOW man named the ‘Most Committed Fundraiser’ by a dog rescue charity is to take on a 140-mile challenge, following the River Wye from source to sea.

Robert Wall has been involved with a national dog rescue charity, Houndsfirst Sighthound Rescue for around four years being a rescuer, foster carer, adopter, transporter and fundraiser for them.

After taking part in the Welsh Three Peaks challenge, trekking up and down the three highest mountains in Wales for the past two years, completing it with one of his disabled sons this year will be a new challenge.

“This August myself and my youngest son who has Autism Spectrum Disorder and Hypermobility are going to follow the entire length of the River Wye in Wales from its source high in the Cambrian Mountains to its end in Chepstow, where it joins the River Severn after 136 miles,” Robert says.

“We will be doing this by a mixture of walking parts of it and mostly canoeing it over 10 days.

“Again it will be a challenge of stamina and resilience for both of us.

“My family and I live in Chepstow and have been involved with the charity Houndsfirst Sighthound Rescue since 2013.

“My wife and I had rescued a Welsh Collie cross puppy locally who was four months old in 2012 and in early 2013 we had decided that we would look for a companion for him, ideally an older dog who could mentor him.

“After much research and searching on the internet a Saluki became available through Houndsfirst which we applied to adopt. Unfortunately that one didn’t work out so we were offered another ex show bitch Saluki who was coming into rescue, through a relationship breakdown.

“That is how Kizzie came into our lives. We had her until last year when cancer took her at 13 years old.”

The family have taken the charity close to their hearts and even took Kizzie’s ashes with them on the Three Peaks Challenge last year.

As the years have gone on, Robert and his family have rescued, transported and fostered more dogs with Houndsfirst, and offer support to each other as well as those outside of rescue who sometimes need advice or signposting in the right direction.

They have fostered 16 dogs in the five years since they started supporting the charity and adopted two bitches and a dog.

“As a team we work closely with other dog rescue charities and attend regular dog shows to raise funds and awareness,” said Robert “I raise funds to help more dogs like Kizzie and so we can continue to move forward with the rescue and rehabilitation wherever it is needed.”

To date Houndsfirst have rescued over 450 dogs, many from challenging situations.

“I continue to support Houndsfirst as I believe in their ethics and what they are doing.”

Robert will begin the 10-day challenge on 16th August.

For more information on the challenge, visit facebook.com/wyevalleychallenge2018