Sullivan Alum Victoria Morris Embarks on a 500km Trek for Charity

This Saturday, Victoria Morris, a 20-year-old student from Holywood, County Down, currently studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Oxford, will set out on an ambitious 500km trek over 20 days to aid retired military and police dogs.

Victoria and her fellow Oxford student Max Herlihy (21, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire) have set themselves the challenge of walking 25km per day - equivalent to nearly twelve marathons - to highlight the plight of service animals who often struggle to find homes after their working lives end.

Victoria said: "I know this walk will challenge me physically and mentally, but I'm confident that I can complete it knowing every step brings us closer to helping these incredible animals find the loving homes they deserve."

The pair will begin their journey on the border between Spain and Portugal on Saturday 22nd March and continue their challenging route until 16th April, carrying their equipment and documenting their journey on social media. They have already raised £1,000 but hope to significantly increase this amount to support Hero Paws' essential work.

Max added: "I'm delighted to be undertaking this challenge alongside Victoria. These dogs have spent their lives serving with loyalty and love. They serve in the toughest, most dangerous situations simply because they love their people. They deserve a retirement that reflects the selfless service they've given."

Military and police dogs typically serve several years before retirement. While many handlers would like to adopt their partners, the significant medical and behavioural support these dogs often require can be prohibitively expensive. Hero Paws addresses this gap by providing financial assistance for veterinary care, behavioural training, and temporary fostering until permanent homes are found.

You can support Max and Victoria by:

• Donating via their Enthuse page: https://heropawsuk.enthuse.com/pf/max-herlihy
• Following their progress on Instagram: @maxandvicsheropawshike
• Sharing their story on social media with #HeroPawsHike