Community / Fundraiser to begin 10-month walk in Shetland
A MENTAL health fundraiser is set to start a 10-month walk across the UK and Ireland in Shetland next month as he bids to drum up £80,000 for charity.
Jonathan Kemp, who also holds the title of Viscount Rochdale, will start his journey in Shetland on 1 January.
He aims to walk across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland before finishing up in Galway in Ireland.
Kemp, who is an author, aims to give talks on his own story of living with bipolar disorder, depression, addiction and dyslexia.
He aims to raise money for mental health charities across the UK and Ireland – SAMH, Mind, AWARE and AWARE NI.
Kemp estimates he will cover around 4,200 kilometres over nearly 300 days.
“This isn’t just a walk — it’s a living symbol of the mental health journey,” he said.
“Beginning in the cold, dark days of January reflects those times when life feels tough, when all you can do is keep going one step at a time.”
Kemp released his memoir Finding Peace of Mind earlier this year.
The book is said to chart his journey through a “privileged upbringing” as a future Viscount Rochdale before a “punk rock rebellion” took him down a different path.
Profits from the book between October 2025 to October 2026 are set to be donated to three of the four mental health charities.
He also said he is self-funding the walking project but is open to sponsorship or support in the form of a support vehicle, accommodation, clothing or food.
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