Charity, Dorset | Posted on July 16th, 2026 | return to news

High Sheriff walking the county lines of Dorset

The High Sheriff of Dorset, Dr Helena Conibear DL, has set out on a 216-mile trek around Dorset’s border to raise awareness of county lines and child exploitation.

A prestigious position, the High Sheriff of Dorset is an unfunded, voluntary role which is appointed annually by His Majesty King Charles III. The role dates back over 1,000 years and is the King’s appointment for the maintenance of justice and preservation of peace in the county.

To become a High Sheriff, candidates must first be nominated to a shortlist by a County Nomination Panel before being selected by the current High Sheriff.

Dorset’s current High Sheriff, Dr Helena Conibear DL, is the founder of Talk About Trust, a youth charity that works across the UK to ensure young people make safer choices around alcohol and drugs. She has chosen the theme of ‘youth opportunity’ for her tenure as High Sheriff.

Throughout the year, she will visit prisons, attend court, accompany the police, fire service and coastguard, and meet grassroots charities to support, champion and highlight the vital services they all provide.

As part of her year in office, she is raising money for charity by completing a 216-mile walk around the border of Dorset. The walk will shine a light on county lines and child exploitation.

Taking place over five stages, the walk began in Charmouth on 25 June and will conclude in Lyme Regis on 25 October.

Her aim is to raise £12,000 for 10 grassroots charities, including Future Roots, YMCA Bournemouth, Escape Line, The Front Skate Park, The Talk About Trust Drug Education Charity and Dorset Youth. She has already raised nearly half of her target; people can donate via the website: at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/walking-county-line-of-dorset-for-county-lines.

People are also invited to join the journey by walking a mile, a day, or a full stage with Helena, or by hosting or supporting her along the route. To join the High Sheriff, participants need to raise a minimum of £50 in donations. For full details of dates and stages, visit her Crowdfunder webpage.

Dorset is consistently ranked among the four safest counties in England and Wales, making it a great place to live, work and visit. However, like every county, it is not immune to serious and often hidden criminal activity.

The South West of England records a high level of drug-related deaths each year and saw 1,100 drug related crimes in 2025, an increase of 14 per cent from the previous year. There are currently 19 known active county lines coming into Dorset, and authorities are working hard to shut them down.

Helena acknowledges how difficult this task is. When one line is closed, another often opens. However, she believes that being proactive, raising awareness, speaking to those who are most vulnerable to grooming and getting the message out to schools and youth charities can make a real difference.