Any support for this challenge would be HUGELY appreciated! 

When I joined Six Nations Rugby 3 years ago just before the Guinness Men’s Championship kicked off in 2021, one of the first people I spoke to was Craig Maxwell. He was busy making the move across from the Welsh Rugby Union after a long and successful stint as their Commercial Director to become our Chief Commercial Officer. From that first conversation, Craig showed himself to be a man of many passions, he talked me through about 20 different ways he wanted to make Six Nations Rugby bigger and better; driving more fans, players and revenues back into the game. The thing that immediately came across just as strongly as his passion for making things bigger and better though, was what a genuinely lovely bloke he was who really cared about people. Always asking after you and your family and caring about the answer. 

Craig was always clearly a hero of a guy, but in the last year and a half he has blown me away.

In September 2022, at the age of 40 Craig was diagnosed with a rare form of genetic lung cancer, EGFR+, which had also spread to his bones. It is an inoperable, incurable Stage 4 diagnosis. Craig’s terminal illness has given him, his children, Isla (12) and Zach (8), and wife, Tracey, limited time together.

With the four words "You have incurable cancer" their lives changed forever, and their future was taken away. Tracey and Craig agreed that they will not let this control the time they have left together as a family. They decided to focus their energy on raising vital funds to support and help the Cancer diagnosis pathway in Wales, speeding up diagnosis and supporting quicker treatments for patients. As of December 2023 Craig, Tracey, and their friends have raised close to £1mill with the support of Velindre Cancer Centre.

Craig will miss his children’s future, but whilst he can’t be there to give them the support he had planned to with Tracey, he can show them how strong and powerful people can be when we want to make a difference together. 

THE CHALLENGE(s)

On the 7th March I will join Craig and others walking a 25-mile leg of the challenge; as he walks and cycles over 780 miles around the coast of Wales. The 780 miles represent the 78 days it took him to receive his diagnosis. In 26 days, mirroring the QuicDNA project’s goal of reducing diagnosis time, Craig will reach the Principality Stadium on March 10th and deliver the match ball for the Wales vs. France Guinness Six Nations match accompanied by his children, Isla and Zach. Craig will carry the match ball the entire distance, symbolising the collective fight against cancer.

As a secondary challenge for this cause, I will be running my first (and very possibly last!) marathon in Tenby, Pembrokeshire on 23rd June. Craig grew up in Tenby and he assures me the beauty of the landscape will make up for the pain of the hills! I will also be joining my colleague Mike Ritson as he runs his 6th and final marathon having completing one in each of our Six Nations for Craig's cause.

Many thanks for anything you can give!