In September 2022, at the age of 40 Craig Maxwell 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.

His story has touched the hearts of many, rallying support that surpassed all expectations. His efforts to date have seen him raise £430,000 to support the QuicDNA project, which aims to shorten the time it takes to diagnose lung cancer in patients in Wales, and a further £500,000 has been donated by The Moondance Foundation, set up by Henry and Diane Engelhardt. Craig has now launched his own charity fund - The Maxwell Family Genomics Fund – to create a legacy and show his two children that even at the worst time possible, you can still rise up and make a difference. Administered and supported by Velindre, the fund aims to enhance, improve and develop the cancer pathway in Wales to make a lasting difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families.

In a bid to raise £1 million he has launched his latest fundraising challenge – the Wales Coast Path Cancer Challenge. The 26-day challenge will see people from across Wales walk 780 miles of the coast path, to represent the 78 days it took him to receive his diagnosis from the point of finding his tumour.

A rugby match ball will be relayed the entire distance of the challenge, symbolising Wales’ collective fight against cancer and it will culminate at the national stadium of Wales, the Principality Stadium, on 10^th March for the Wales vs. France Guinness Six Nations match, where Craig accompanied by his children, Isla and Zach, will carry the match ball onto the pitch.