Rugeley coach reaches £20,000 on epic football trek for charity

James Lewis's charity trek from Marrakech has crossed £20,000, highlighting a high-profile endurance effort for charity. Departing May 1, the 26-year-old from Rugeley has already covered more than 1,500 kilometres on foot and is near Pamplona in northern Spain. He runs about 30 miles a day, solo, with a 15-kilogram pack and a football at every step to stay focused. His aim is to reach home by July 19, the World Cup final date. Along the route he has faced hazards including a pack of wild dogs in Morocco, wild boars, and a rock fall that blocked his path. He has partially torn his Achilles and spent nights sleeping on an inflatable mattress under the stars in rural Spain. Despite these trials, he presses toward the French border, undaunted by terrain and weather. Funds go to St Giles Hospice in Staffordshire, in memory of his father, David Lewis. He has already raised more than £55,000 through prior challenges, with this leg adding £20,000 toward a £100,000 target. Lewis called the milestone 'absolutely incredible' as he pushes toward France, with updates on JustGiving and his social channels.