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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

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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
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.