Hero’s welcome for football coach who dribbled a football from Africa to Staffordshire

A football coach from Staffordshire has been given a hero’s welcome after dribbling a football more than 2,000 miles from Marrakech to his hometown of Rugeley.

James Lewis, 26, crossed the finish line at around 5pm on Saturday (25 July), cheered on by hundreds of friends, family and supporters who lined the final stretch of his route to welcome him home.

Earlier in the day he made a poignant stop at St Giles Hospice in Whittington, near Lichfield, where he had the chance to spend time with staff and families who have used the service. It was a particularly moving moment for James, whose father David was cared for at the hospice when James was just 11 years old.

On Saturday, donations were flooding in as supporters watched him cross the finish line. He has now raised £68,000 for St Giles Hospice, more than two thirds of the way to his £100,000 target, a total that continues to rise. To put that into context, £720 could help fund 24 hours of care for a patient at the end of their life, meaning James’s efforts have helped fund the equivalent of more than 94 days of care for patients at their most vulnerable.

James said: “I still cannot quite believe I have done it. Standing at that finish line surrounded by so many people who have supported me throughout this journey was one of the most overwhelming moments of my life. I did this for everyone St Giles has supported and everyone who has ever needed them. I wanted to give something back. Thank you to every single person who has donated, shared, cheered me on or simply believed in me. This is for all of you.”

Elinor Eustace, Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice, said: “We have watched James every single day since he set off from Marrakech and to see him cross that finish line on Saturday was an incredibly emotional moment. He is a true hero and an inspiration to everyone at St Giles and beyond. Every pound he raises will make 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.”

To look back on James’s journey and donate, visit www.justgiving.com/page/jameslewis26 or follow @jameslewisruns on TikTok and Instagram or James Lewis on Facebook.