Wildlife photographer Will Wilson has completed his endurance challenge to ‘virtually’ traverse 9,845 kilometers—the distance from his home in Kigali to University College Hospital’s Cancer Centre in London, where his wife Anna underwent treatment for breast cancer.
‘9,845km (Kigali – London) completed! It’s taken 7 months, covering 40+ kms every day, which is roughly the distance of a marathon a day. All this effort has been to raise awareness about cancer, the importance of early detection and raise money for two awesome charities.’ Will Wilson shared on his social media pages on 2nd June 2024.
But for Will, the journey didn’t stop there. In an extraordinary display of determination, he embarked on a 24-hour treadmill challenge dubbed ‘Walk with Will’.
The event, held at Radisson hotel Kigali, marks the culmination of 7 months of cycling, rowing, and walking. As of press time, Will had been walking on the treadmill for 11 hours straight, with an anticipated finish time of 9am on June 4th. He only steps off the treadmill for brief comfort breaks.
The driving force behind Will’s endeavors is to raise awareness about cancer, emphasize the significance of early detection, and generate funds to support Rwanda Cancer Relief’s (RCR) ongoing initiatives aiding those affected in Rwanda.
Reflecting on the journey, Will considers himself fortunate to have Anna back in Rwanda, recognizing that not everyone worldwide shares the same outcome of restored health for their loved ones.
Throughout the challenge, Will averaged an astonishing 40 to 50 kilometers per day.
As part of ‘Walk With Will,’ two treadmills have been set up side by side on the KCC terrace, inviting individuals to join him in conversation about their passions, experiences with cancer (if any), and and their hopes for supporting the health of Rwandans.
For those interested in supporting Will’s noble efforts, further information can be found on Rwanda Cancer Relief’s website.
Photos courtesy Will Wilson on X (Twitter)
