Football coach who has run further than the entire England World Cup squad arrives at the White Cliffs of Dover
A football coach who has covered more miles dribbling a football than the entire England World Cup squad has run on the pitch has stepped back onto British soil for the first time in more than two months, with just 200 miles left to go.
A football coach who has covered more miles dribbling a football than the entire England World Cup squad has run on the pitch has stepped back onto British soil for the first time in more than two months, with just 200 miles left to go.
James Lewis, 26, from Rugeley, crossed the Channel by ferry last night and is now on home soil, having already covered approximately 1,900 miles on foot since setting off from Marrakesh on 1st May. While England’s players have covered over 500 miles on the pitch across their seven World Cup matches, James has dribbled a football nearly 1,900 miles through Morocco, the entire length of Spain and the full length of France, completely solo.
James watched England’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina from a hotel in La Wast, just 20 miles south of Dover, before boarding the ferry last night. Despite the disappointment of the result, James is more determined than ever to complete his challenge and is now planning his final route to Rugeley, with approximately 200 miles still to go.
Having passed the £48,000 mark, James is now targeting £50,000 as part of his ultimate £100,000 fundraising goal for St Giles Hospice in Staffordshire, where his father David was cared for when James was just 11 years old.
James said: “The support I have received throughout this journey has been nothing short of overwhelming. From strangers stopping at the side of the road to offer food, water and encouragement, to French couples who opened their homes to me each night, the kindness of people along the way has been unwavering. Donations have ranged from £5 to £1,300 and every single penny, and every single act of kindness, has kept me going. I want to thank each and every person who has supported me. Standing at the White Cliffs of Dover after more than two months away from England is a feeling I cannot put into words. I have dribbled a football through Africa, the length of Spain and the whole of France and now I am home. I am not stopping until I reach Rugeley and I am not stopping until I hit that £100,000 target.”
Elinor Eustace, Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice, said: “Watching James’s journey from afar has been the most incredible experience. He has faced everything the road could throw at him and he has kept going every single day, driven by love for his dad and his passion for St Giles. Every pound he raises makes a real and tangible difference to the patients and families we care for across Staffordshire, North Birmingham and surrounding areas. We are so incredibly proud of him and we simply cannot wait to welcome him home.”
To follow James’s progress and donate, visit James’ JustGiving page or follow @jameslewisruns on TikTok and Instagram or James Lewis on Facebook.
