Adventure With Purpose and Heart!
We recently heard from WAExpo attendee and friend Sian Davies, about her encounter with Wayne and Koda, you may have seen this special duo on Facebook? Always keen to hear more about Adventures with purpose, what inspires them and the hospitality which so often accompanies them, we asked Sian to share her story…
A chance post on Facebook can lead to amazing events! Life changing to use an overused but in this case, apt phrase. I responded to a post by a local Green councillor asking people to support the wonderful Wayne and Koda on their travels. Wayne is walking the coast of Britain, picking up litter as he goes. With him, his faithful companion, Koda (the Wonder dog), a rescued northern Inuit dog, who incidentally gives the best doggie hugs. Ever. Always keen to meet people doing wonderful things and with the weather turning bad, I offered Wayne and Koda the use of my old VW camper, and I’m so glad I did! Wayne is a wonderfully authentic, respectful guy with an incredible life story and engaging tales to tell. Over the course of two days we chatted, and did a litter pick of the sea wall in the village where I live. And oh, how my world has shifted. I thought I was aware of the scourge of litter, but was shocked at how ‘ blind ‘ I’d been to it, passing by without noticing. Now, I can’t go for a walk on the beach without piling up the bottles, oil containers, fishing nets ….. you can picture the scene. Fired up to do something more, and with Wayne’s direction for support, I’m now in the process of setting up a Keep Britain Tidy Beachcare group. A short Facebook post on the village page produced 12 volunteers! Yes, we’re off! Wayne has introduced me to a whole new world of wonderful people. One who stands out is Jake ‘Black dog walks’ Tyler, who is also walking the UK coastline to promote exercise as a way of managing depression. If you want an emotionally eloquent read, have a look at Jake’s Facebook post, about a chance meeting with a stranger.
As well as highlighting the issue of coastal waste, Wayne is also raising money for chosen charities, MIND (he has direct experience of long standing depression), and also the Northern Inuit Dog Rescue. He’s walked about 2000 miles and has another 5000 or so to go. If he passes near you I’d say, give yourself a treat and offer him some hospitality.
And here’s the man himself: Wayne and Koda BBC News
We can all have an adventure with purpose, starting with picking up one piece of litter at a time.
By Sian Davies
