TV property star and solo volunteer take on the Camino de Santiago for PAWS-PATAS

One pair will lean on each other through blisters and long days on the trail. The other will cover almost 800 kilometres completely alone, with only a backpack full of the essentials. The three of them, however, are walking the Camino de Santiago on foot for the same reason, to raise money for PAWS-PATAS, the Almería charity that rescues and re-homes abandoned dogs and cats.

Shaun Garner and Emily set off from Ferrol on September 6 

Shaun Garner, of the Garner family behind Almería estate agency Spanish Property Choice and familiar to viewers of the TV show Sun, Sea and Selling Houses, is walking the Camino de Santiago with his friend Emily. The pair will follow the Camino Inglés, a 119-kilometre route from Ferrol that comfortably clears the 100-kilometre minimum pilgrims must walk to earn the Compostela, the official certificate given to those who complete the route on foot. They set off on September 6 and hope to reach Santiago de Compostela within five days.

Shaun and Emily said they chose PAWS-PATAS partly because their cat, Lucky, was adopted from the shelter years ago. So far they have raised more than €1,700 of their €1,800 target from 59 donors on their fundraising page, with daily updates promised along the route.

Paula Tyrrell will walk almost 800 kilometres alone 

A second challenge is under way alongside theirs. PAWS-PATAS volunteer Paula Tyrrell is setting out on the Camino Francés, the network’s longest and best-known route, which begins deep in the Pyrenees and is usually walked over several weeks. PAWS-PATAS says her particular route will total close to 790 kilometres, carrying everything she needs on her back and facing the trail’s steepest climbs and longest stretches without company.

Volunteering at the shelter has shown her exactly how far each donation goes, funding food, veterinary treatment and emergency shelter for animals that would otherwise have nowhere to go. PAWS-PATAS said it wanted the community to know how much her commitment means to the animals in its care.

How PAWS-PATAS uses the money raised

PAWS-PATAS operates from Los Gallardos in eastern Almería, rescuing and rehoming abandoned and neglected dogs and cats from across the province. The charity has repeatedly turned to its community for support this year, including previous appeals for volunteers and a steady calendar of local fundraising events.

Every euro donated through Shaun, Emily or Paula’s fundraising pages goes directly to the shelter’s running costs. PAWS-PATAS said anyone unable to donate could still help simply by sharing the walkers’ pages with friends and family.

How to support the walkers

Supporters can donate to Shaun and Emily’s fundraiser or to Paula’s separate page, both of which are live now ahead of the September start date. PAWS-PATAS said it would be cheering all three on “every step of the way”, including the animals currently in its care.