Scores of Max the Miracle Dog followers descended on Hope Park from all over the country to witness Kerry Irving becoming the first person ever to be presented with a freedom of Keswick award.
Beside the statue of springer spaniel Max, whom Kerry credits for turning his life around after a traffic collision left him with chronic pain and unable to walk, as well as mental health issues, his adoring fans cheered and shouted “well deserved” as the mayor of Keswick, Cllr Steve Harwood handed over the paper parchment conferring the freedom of the town.
Max, who died last year aged 14, has thousands of followers on social media and his legacy is now carried on with pet spaniels Paddy and Harry with people following their adventures in the Lake District from all over the world.
Kerry has also written a book about Max and has helped to raise thousands of pounds for charities such as the Great North Air Ambulance Service and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals.
Handing over the Freedom of Keswick scroll, Cllr Harwood said: “There are many people in Keswick over the years who have done great things for the town but none have got so much attention as Kerry and Max the Miracle Dog have.”
The Freedom of the Town is given to someone who is, in the opinion of the council, a person of distinction and has rendered eminent services to the local area. There is no material honour or special privilege attached, although historically there was and these are now symbolic.
The honour was conferred on Kerry because he had raised the profile of the town so much, had done incredible work for charity and for Hope Park. He has also done a huge amount to bring mental health issues to the forefront nationally.
Many of those who turned up to witness the ceremony were wearing orange T-shirts, Max’s favourite colour. Kerry joked that he would now be legally allowed to walk “the orange army” through the town on a Saturday morning and herd sheep over a bridge.
“Give yourself a big round of applause for what you do to help us,” he said, adding: “We are extremely proud of our town. My wife Angela was born here, and it’s a really good place to live.
“The friendships and marriage proposals created from Max out in the Lake District has been amazing. It’s incredible what the power of a dog can bring to a human.”
And he praised the contribution that his wife has made by saying: “Behind every good man is a brilliant woman.”
Some of those at the ceremony had set off in the early hours of the morning to be there like Catherine Stevenson from Glasgow. She set off at 6.50am to get the train to Penrith and then caught a bus to Keswick and afterwards caught a taxi back to Penrith.
She described herself as a loyal follower of Kerry and his dogs, watching all their live feeds. She said that he had done so much to help her mental health.
“If it was not for Kerry and his walks and dogs, I don’t know where the hell I would be because of my mental health. I have been in a dark place with having this long Covid and with my mental health and anxiety. He has just helped me so much.”
Another early riser was Gill Hone, from Dagenham in Essex, who left home at 3.30am to get to Keswick “because Kerry, Max and the boys got me through Covid and he is such a good guy”.
She added: ”Following Kerry and the dogs has brought me friendships. It’s a very friendly group to belong to.”
And Sue Evans had travelled north from Hensby, in Norfolk, “because Kerry does such amazing work”.
“I follow him on Facebook all the time,” she said. “He does so much good for everybody,
“I have a lot of respect for him. I have not seen him in person before and I would love to meet him.
“He has done so much good for the local community and worldwide considering what he has gone through. He is inspirational.”
And Katy Byrne, from Harrogate, said: “I have followed him since lockdown and he is just incredible.
“During lockdown, when you could not go out in the Lake District, he made it possible to be able to see it through the seasons and through his and the dogs’ eyes. It gave you hope that things were going to improve.”
