The community of Rugeley is uniting in support of a local football coach who has embarked on an extraordinary journey across two continents. James Lewis is currently traversing North Africa, aiming to dribble a football more than 2,000 miles from Marrakech to his hometown in Staffordshire.
Journey Details
The 26-year-old began his trek on Friday, May 1, and has already reached Rabat, the capital of Morocco, covering nearly 300 miles in his first week. His ambitious route includes a ferry crossing to Spain, passing through Gibraltar, Madrid, and the Pyrenees. He will then continue through France before returning to England, with the goal of arriving in Rugeley by Sunday, July 19.
Running approximately 30 miles each day while carrying a 15-kilogram backpack, James is completing the challenge entirely unaided. Supporters can monitor his progress via a live location tracker and daily updates on his social media accounts.
Personal Motivation
The mission holds deep personal significance for James, who lost his father, David Lewis, when he was just 11 years old. Inspired by the care his father received at St Giles Hospice, James began fundraising for the charity. Over the past three years, he has raised more than £55,000 through various challenges. This latest trek is his most ambitious yet, with an overall fundraising target of £100,000. He has already raised over £6,000, representing six percent of his goal, before completing his first week on the road.
James said: "It is going really well. It is hot all day and every day though, so I have to be careful to protect myself from sunburn. The days are very long, and I am running for about 10 hours a day, so there is little time to relax. It is an exhausting challenge, but I am on schedule to catch my ferry in a few days. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far."
Elinor Eustace, chief executive of St Giles Hospice, added: "James is an inspiration to us all. What he is undertaking is extraordinary, and the fact that he is doing it in memory of his father, who was cared for at St Giles, makes it all the more meaningful. We are so grateful for his dedication, and we will be cheering him on every single step of the way."
To follow James's progress or make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/page/jameslewis26 or search for James Lewis on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.
