This year, I turn 60.
And I didn’t want to let that milestone just pass me by.
I wanted to mark it with something meaningful—something bold.
Something that would stretch me physically, mentally, and emotionally… and do real good for people who need it.
So I’ve set myself a challenge. A big one.
I’m going to walk—or run—non-stop for 60 hours.
That’s two and a half days without sleep. Following a 100km loop.
No finish line… just relentless forward motion.
Why? Because I Believe in Pushing Limits—for a Purpose
I’ve always believed that age is just a number. What really matters is how you choose to show up in the world—how you grow, how you give, how you serve others.
And this challenge is about all three.
Yes, it’s a test of resilience. But more than that—it’s a fundraiser for three incredible charities that I care about deeply. Each one has a personal connection to my life, my family, and my values.
💙 Humanity Direct – Changing Lives, One Child at a Time
https://www.humanitydirect.org
I’ve worked closely with Humanity Direct for over 12 years. What I love about them is their complete transparency and their direct impact. You choose a specific child who needs medical surgery—you see their story, and you fund their operation.
When I turned 50, I took on the Yukon Arctic Ultra and raised money for a little girl named Grace who was born without ears. We raised enough for her to receive surgery for one ear—and that changed her life. She could go to school, hear, and be part of the world.
I’ll never forget the video message she sent me afterward:
“Thank you, Neil, for my ear.”
I still have it saved.
That moment—knowing we helped change the future of a real child—is why Humanity Direct will always have a place in my heart.
💗 NHS ScanAppeal – Saving Lives With Cutting-Edge Tech
I live in Buckinghamshire. My wife, my three daughters, and my two grandchildren are part of this community—and have either used or will one day rely on our local NHS services.
ScanAppeal raises funds to provide state-of-the-art scanning equipment for Buckinghamshire hospitals. That means earlier detection, faster diagnoses, and better outcomes—especially for things like breast cancer, which has touched so many families, including mine.
When you know the people you love might one day rely on that technology, it changes how you see giving.
You’re not just supporting patients—you’re supporting your own community.
💛 St Luke’s Cancer Centre – Care at Every Stage of the Journey
https://www.royalsurreycharity.org.uk
Cancer touches every family in some way. And when it does, it’s the people behind the scenes—the nurses, doctors, and care teams—who become the heroes.
St Luke’s Cancer Centre at Royal Surrey Hospital supports people through every stage of cancer treatment. From the moment of diagnosis through recovery or palliative care, they’re there—offering expertise, compassion, and hope.
They are extraordinary people doing extraordinary work.
And they deserve all the support we can give.
The Journey Ahead: 60 Hours of Challenge
This isn’t a walk in the park.
The longest I’ve ever gone without stopping is 40 hours. So yes, I’m expecting to hit some walls:
- Sleep deprivation will take its toll.
- Physical fatigue will bite hard.
- And yes… hallucinations may come (they have before during ultra-endurance events).
But I want this to be hard.
Because the harder it is, the more powerful the message becomes:
We can do difficult things.
We can endure.
And we can make a difference—one step, one hour, one donation at a time.
How You Can Be Part of This
- Donate – Whatever you can give will go directly to these charities. Every pound helps.
- Follow my tracker – I’ll have a live GPS feed so you can see where I am and how I’m doing.
- Come and join me – Walk a lap. Say hello. Bring some motivation—I’ll need it!
This isn’t about me. It’s about what we can all do when we step into adversity—together.
So whether you give, walk, or simply share this story—thank you.
Let’s turn this 60-hour challenge into life-changing impact.
Because when we walk with purpose,
When we walk for others,
When we walk into the fire…
We come out stronger.
— Neil
