A former soldier who was homeless and struggling with mental health problems, has paid tribute to a rescue dog he says helped save his life - and raise a fortune for charity.

Christian Lewis is walking the coast of the UK, leaving his native Wales for Northern Ireland four years ago before walking the coast of Scotland and heading into England.

On August 1, 2021, he literally stepped into year five of this walk, and says he has found happiness and purpose.

Chris explained: "Four years ago I left a broken man with no purpose, and feeling I had failed at life. With £10 a few days of rations I walked off in to the complete unknown hoping I could find myself again and raise £100,000 for #SSAFA the charity that helped me.

"Four years later I am the happiest man alive. I've 80,000 wonderful followers, raised £206,000 in donations and made so many friends I have made along the way.

" My first love come in the form of a four legged friend nine months In to my journey Jet. My second love I found three and a half years in to my journey, the most beautiful, fun loving woman, my girlfriend Kate Barron.

"It's been some journey, the lands I have seen, people I have met and the experiences I never thought possible. Only now am I beginning to realise this really is a rags to riches story but my riches come in the form of contentment and happiness."

Chris at the start of his walk and today

Today as Chris thanks the people who have helped him practically and emotionally along the way, he has said a special thankyou to Jet, the rescue dog.

Chris said: “Real beauty is being around someone who has done something so amazing and having no idea she has done it - our best friend Jet.

“As I left Northern Ireland I was told I needed a special dog to keep me company, to help keep on top of my mental health, to boost my emotional health and simply to be able to rely on another living being who'd never judge me.

“And after nine months Scotland, I walked into in Ayrshire and met Jet. She was thin, and a bit sad and shy. I knew she hadn’t been well looked after, but we seemed to recognise something in each other and we hit it off immediately.

They were both a bit lost, says Chris

“Looking back now I can see that I was still a little bit broken and she was too. She just followed me and that was that. When I was in the Army I was always with people, it was very much a teamwork thing and I’d never spent weeks on my own in the middle of nowhere.

“And it was only really when Jet started to walk with me that I started to realise how much companionship means to me and helps me.

Jet has found her place in the world - with Chris

"Now all these miles later, she's still by my side, sleeping in tents, meeting new people, being gentle, kind, strong and determined, making everything worthwhile.

“I’m so proud to call Jet my dog and my best friend, I’m so proud of all she has achieved and how she has always stuck by my side no matter what, including the weather conditions. She just got stuck in and trusted me and I trusted her. What a beautiful animal she is, no dog has ever walked as much of the UK coast as my Jet.

“Apart from the people who have been there and walked parts of it with us, I’m honestly not sure if people really understand what Jet has accomplished and the effort she has put into walking all the islands and coast of Scotland through the most brutal winters.”

Just Jet

And after meeting and falling for Jet, a Greyhound cross, the pair have found another love, walking out of Scotland and into England with Christian's girlfriend Kate Barron.

Chris said: “To think I started my walk around the UK coast nearly four years ago alone, just me, my bag and a lot of uncertainty.

“I’ve met thousands of people and animals along my walk, and I’m so happy to be able to say that, but I haven’t met any like these two.

Together

“I now have two beautiful, kind, loyal women by my side, strong in both mind and body. Never have I known so much devotion and unconditional love as I do in these beauties.

“Kate, the most amazing woman any man could wish for, I absolutely adore and love her, Kate was the missing link in my search for happiness and now I have her with me. When I met her I knew it was special and when Jet loved her right away, that was that. I’m proud to be her man, she’s absolutely one in a billion, my true soul mate and with Jet, we are now a team, a strong one at that.

“With these two by my side we shall complete this walk and r aise half a million pounds for SSAFA.

Jet and Kate relaxing on a pier

Chris, a single dad turned to SSAFA after leaving the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, to look after his daughter.

For the latest daily news about dogs and their people visit our dedicated Team Dogs website by clicking here.

And he was inspired to carry out the UK coastal challenge on behalf of the charity after the support given to him when he fell into despair after leaving the army.

Chris said: “I was just pretty lost, I didn’t know where to turn. The Army doesn’t teach normal, day-to-day life skills like dealing with bills, that you need to survive in the civilian world.

“My daughter and I became homeless and I contacted SSAFA and thankfully they were able to help me through it.

“If it hadn’t been for SSAFA, I don’t know where we’d be now. I was terrified of losing my daughter to social services, not because of my parenting, but because of the situation we ended up in. It wasn’t good but it came good thanks to the support.

Where he goes, she goes too

“Now my daughter is older and I’ve had an opportunity to undertake this challenge to give back to SSAFA in terms of donations and awareness of what they do.”

With four years spent walking the coast of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, it’s unclear how long it will take Chris, Kate and Jet to complete the rest and today Jet has access to a special cart to help her if she gets tired.

And while Chris said the worst part of the trip for him was pulling his own tooth out, it was nothing compared to the worry when he and Kate found a lump on Jet.

Chris and Kate

He said: “Being one of the most stroked dogs alive, means we get to see and catch things early with Jet.

“Not long ago Kate noticed a small lump on Jet so we acted immediately and had a veterinary nurse come and look at her.

“It was quite obvious what it was so we arranged an appointment to have surgery done in Brechin at the vets and we were delighted to report the surgery went well and the lump was removed.

“Sarah Fowlie a walk follower and friend, kindly offered to help us with the vet bill and as you can imagine, given the relationship I have with Jet, no better gift could be given. The surgery left a small wound which will heal in no time, more so given the fact Jet is so fit and healthy.

Time to move

“We didn’t tell our social media supporters until now so as to not cause any panic but Jet is well and we will of course keep an eye constantly now that we know what she has faced. Our girl is back and on banging form as ever.”

Three days before being piped across the border from Scotland into England, Chris said the little family took a day to relax together: “It had been a while since we’d been able to sit just the three of us and reflect on the past few months and it’s been so nice.

Three sets of prints in the sand

“We turned off our phones and just enjoyed a day to relax. After filming for a documentary going out in September I realised how much I’d talked about life before the walk and what a change it’s made in my life.

“Yesterday I sat and thought about the few days leading up to it and how I felt, how I looked and how lost I was back then.

“I’ve never understood why folks tell me my walk has helped them as I’m the one doing it, and my focus day to day is getting from A to B.

“But I now see the difference. It has not been an easy few years for us all and I really want to speak to those who suffer in silence and let you know I truly am living proof that life can be turned around.

“Please know you're not alone in how you feel at this moment and I have no shame at all showing you at my worst because I’m proud to have picked myself back up. It’s such a slow process but it can be done, believe me.

A young Chris

“Mental health is one of the worst health problems we have because it’s not visible and the strong pretend they’re fine.

“I know now the first step to solving any problem is to accept you have one and reach out. Don’t be embarrassed or feel any shame because so many feel the same and need you to speak up so others can do the same. You’re stronger than you think.

“Now me, Jet and Kate are ready for the rest of our challenge and we dedicate it to you, all the people and dogs who need help but can't ask for it yet. Accept it and let it come.”

If you would like to donate to SSAFA you can click here.

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