James Lewis, a 26-year-old from Rugeley, Staffordshire, is undertaking an extraordinary challenge: dribbling a football from Africa to England, aiming to arrive home in time to see the Three Lions lift the World Cup.
Lewis departed from Marrakech on May 1 and has already reached Madrid, covering more than a marathon distance each day. The intense 35-degree Celsius heat in the Spanish capital destroyed his trainers, forcing him to buy new ones.
Along the way, he has faced numerous obstacles, including packs of circling dogs, a partially torn Achilles, snakes, and a young boy who kicked his first ball under an approaching vehicle. Lewis estimates the challenge will take 79 days, ensuring his return for the World Cup final on July 19.
Despite a controversial squad selection, Lewis, a football coach, remains optimistic about England's chances under Thomas Tuchel's world-class leadership. He is raising funds for St Giles Hospice, which cared for his father before his death when Lewis was 11.
Lewis said: "I'm exhausted, but I'm on a good schedule, just at the mercy of fate in terms of what happens on the road. I don't think people understand how much harder it is with a football. It would be nice if I were on a nice, even flat pavement, but it isn't. It's so much harder, I'm zig-zagging on the road, and I have the wind, which adds so many more miles."
He added: "I'm running on rocky trails. Every time the ball hits a rock, it bounces in a random direction. Then you've got time when it bounces into bushes, or if I lose control of it going up a hill, I have to go back down to get it, then back up again."
In 28 days, Lewis has covered over 750 miles, with roughly 1,250 to 1,500 miles remaining due to diversions and the plan to finish at Wembley. He noted that diversions are highly probable given the obstacles encountered so far.
The toughest aspect has been sleeping rough. Lewis carries only a mattress and sleeps in the elements. He said: "It's hardest on the days I don't find a bed. On one occasion I've slept in a hammock, on two occasions I've had to sleep rough – my rucksack weighs 15kg in case I can't find anywhere, so that's been a challenge. When I have to sleep outside, it's really, really rough sleeping, so I'm exhausted the next day, get really agitated, those are the toughest days mentally and physically."
In Morocco, Lewis was chased off the road by a pack of wild dogs. He recalled: "I got run off the road by a pack of circling dogs, which was very intimidating. As I was approaching a small, poorer town in Morocco, where the dogs are more aggressive, there was a long row of them. As I got closer, they started barking, the ones at the front came behind me with the others blocking the road ahead, with the main aggressor in the circle half a metre away from me. I started to run in the middle of the road so the cars couldn't get in the way of me and the main one, but they'd just wait and come again. They were snaring and baring their teeth, so I had to leave the ball and hide. Eventually, they cleared off, and I carried on. It was very, very scary."
Lewis described running through Morocco as "like running through a different world," noting the stark contrast between wealthy Rabat and small villages where children played football with carrier bags zip-tied together. Despite the hardships, he has been fed many times for free and handed fruit and water by locals.
Lewis has already raised over £55,000 for St Giles Hospice through previous challenges and aims to reach £100,000 from this one. He said: "It is going really well, but it is tough. It is hot every single day, and I am running for around 10 hours at a time, so there is very little time to rest. But I am on schedule, and every donation keeps me going. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. It means everything."
Elinor Eustace, chief executive of St Giles Hospice, said: "To have raised £11,000 in less than a month is a fantastic achievement. Every pound brings him closer to his £100,000 target, and we cannot wait to see him home."
Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/page/jameslewis26.
