Gethin Jones left his spot on the BBC Morning Live sofa to join his friend Craig Maxwell who has been given just months to live.
Craig, the chief commerical officer of the Six Nations, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in July 2023 and was told he had between ten and 18 months to live.
He is now doing a 780-mile trek to raise much-needed funds for others and he is aiming to raise £1million.
Craig’s trek is 780 miles because it took him 78 days to get diagnosed and he wants to see this process dramatically improved so the disease can be spotted earlier.
530 walkers have joined the Welshman on his inspirational 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 months to live
Craig, the chief commerical officer of the Six Nations, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in July 2023 and was told he had between ten and 18 months to live
On Morning Live, Gethin asked Craig how he was coping with the physical nature of his mission.
He said: ‘You are without a doubt one of the most positive people that we know but Craig seriously, everything you’re going through physically, how are you finding this? How hard is it?
‘I’m not one to admit it always but I have to say it’s getting harder,’ Craig replied. ‘The blisters on my feet are sore, painful and with the side effects of the tablets, I get quite a bit of fatigue so each day between 18-24 miles, it’s starting to have its effect.
‘My dream is to do as much of it as I can but the way I’m feeling at the moment I’m going to have to take some 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’s two reasons,’ he said. ‘The first one is the experience me and my wife went through by waiting for those 78 days – we just felt compelled that we need to do something for the next family.
‘That wasn’t something which we wanted someone else to experience and there are ways in which we can help solve that problem. So that’s really driven and motivated us.’
When he was diagnosed, Craig bravely told MailOnline: ‘I was told at the start of July I have between 10 and 18 months left.
He is now doing a 780-mile trek to raise much-needed funds for others and he is aiming to raise £1million, with Gethin joining 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 scared about the things I won’t be able to influence. I am getting all my affairs in order and arranging and paying for my own funeral.
‘I want everything done so my wife doesn’t have to worry about anything. All she’ll have to do is wake up and worry about herself and the kids.
‘We’re taking them to Disneyland Paris but I’ve got no desire for lots of big trips. I just want to cuddle my kids, watch movies with them on the sofa, and have adult conversations with them about life, what I’ve learned, and what’s important. I’ll tell them it’s going to be OK.
‘I want to set them up for the future even though I won’t be there. That’s my dream. My big driver is I want my kids to see there are a few important things in life.
‘It’s about family and friends.
‘It’s important not to be defeated. When we told my children I had terminal cancer, the first thing my daughter said was ‘Daddy, I know you’ll do everything to fight this. I’m so proud of you.’ It made me the proudest man ever.
‘I want to show our children that even in the face of adversity you can – and will – pick yourself up and make a difference.’
He and his wife Tracey have two young children – Isla, 12, and Zach who is eight.
