Gethin Jones left his spot on the BBC Morning Live sofa to join his friend Craig Maxwell, who has only been given a few months to live.
Six Nations Chief Commercial Officer Craig was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in July 2023 and told he had between ten and 18 months to live.
He is now making a 780-mile journey to raise much-needed funds for others and is aiming to raise £1 million.
Craig’s journey is 780 miles because it took him 78 days to be diagnosed and he wants to see this process improve dramatically so the disease can be detected sooner.
530 walkers have joined the Welshman on his inspiring mission, including his close friend Gethin, who walked with him between Bangor and Caernarfon in North Wales.
Gethin Jones left his spot on the BBC Morning Live sofa to join his friend Craig Maxwell, who has been given just a few months to live.
Six Nations Chief Commercial Officer Craig was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in July 2023 and told he had between ten and 18 months to live.
On Morning Live, Gethin asked Craig how he coped with the physical nature of his mission.
He said: “You’re certainly one of the most positive people we know, but Craig, seriously, everything you’re going through physically, how do you find it?” How difficult is it?
“I’m not one to always admit it, but I have to say it’s getting harder,” Craig responded. ‘The blisters on my feet are sore, sore and with the side effects of the tablets I get a little tired so every day between 18 and 24 miles is starting to take its toll.
“My dream is to do as much as I can, but the way I feel right now, I’m going to have to take a few days to rest because it’s getting harder.”
Gethin then asked Craig why he was walking around Wales instead of “putting his feet up” or going on holiday.
“There are two reasons,” he said. ‘The first is the experience my wife and I went through waiting those 78 days: we simply felt obligated to do something for the next family.
‘That was not something we would want anyone else to experience and there are ways we can help solve that problem. So that drove and motivated us a lot.”
When he was diagnosed, Craig bravely told MailOnline: ‘At the beginning of July I was told I had between 10 and 18 months left.
He is now making a 780-mile journey to raise much-needed funds for others and is aiming to raise £1 million, with Gethin accompanying him between Bangor and Caernarfon in North Wales.
Craig with his wife Tracey and their two children: Isla and Zach.
‘I am scared. I’m afraid of the things I won’t be able to influence. I am putting all my affairs in order and organizing and paying for my own funeral.
‘I want everything to be done so my wife doesn’t have to worry about anything. All she will have to do is wake up and worry about herself and her children.
‘We’ll take them to Disneyland Paris, but I don’t feel like going on many big trips. I just want to hug my kids, watch movies with them on the couch, and have adult conversations with them about life, what I’ve learned, and what’s important. I’ll tell them everything will be fine.
‘I want to prepare them for the future even though I won’t be there. That is my dream. My big motivation is that I want my children to see that there are some important things in life.
‘It’s about family and friends.
‘It is important not to let yourself be defeated. When we told my children that I had terminal cancer, the first thing my daughter said was ‘Dad, I know you will do everything you can to fight this.’ I am so proud of you.’ He made me the proudest man of all time.
“I want to show our kids that even in the face of adversity you can (and will) stand up and make a difference.”
He and his wife Tracey have two young children: Isla, 12, and Zach, eight.