Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Man takes huskies on a trek to Dorset
Keath and his huskies
Keath and his pet huskies will trek 217 miles to their new home to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Manchester man will undertake 217-mile journey for charity

A Manchester man has chosen an unusual way to move home - by undertaking a 217-mile husky trek to Dorset to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Keath Armstrong is trekking with his three pet Siberian huskies Sakari, Nukka and Nala from his old flat in the Crumpsall area of the city to his new home in Bournemouth and will be passing through Lancashire, Cheshire, Staffordshire, Birmingham, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset on route.

The huskies are towing a sled, carrying 32-year-old Keath's tent and their food, and are helping him raise money for the trust during the journey as they stop off at various towns, cities and villages - including Congleton, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent, West Bromwich, Selly Oak, Redditch, Alcester, Chipping Campden, Stow-on-the-Wold, Swindon, Salisbury and Poole - on the walk to Bournemouth.

Keath was friends with brothers Carl and Richard Jones who both died from cystic fibrosis, a disease that slowly destroys the lungs and digestive system and directly affects around 10,000 people in the UK. Carl died in 2006 aged 20 and Richard – Keath’s best friend - died in 2013, aged 30.

Keath, whose walk is currently in progress, says: “I grew up with Richard in Dorset and now I’m moving back I wanted to do something challenging and different to make more people aware of cystic fibrosis and raise as much money as possible.

"Richard and Carl were brilliant, you couldn’t fault their outlook on life and despite everything they had to put up they were always there for other people. I’m aiming to walk 24 miles a day...but it will depend on the weather – if it’s too hot, the huskies will need to slow down a bit.”

To support Keath, Sakari, Nukka and Nula's trek visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/keatharmstrong

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.