Words by Neil Thubron, XNRG Founder.
This year, I turn 60.
And rather than looking back, I’ve chosen to mark this milestone by looking forward—by stepping into something bold, something demanding, something meaningful.
Because I’ve always believed that age is just a number. What matters is what we do with it.
So I’ve set myself a challenge:
To walk—or run—non-stop for 60 hours.
Not for a medal.
Not for a headline.
But for something far more important – to raise funds and awareness for a group of charities that are incredibly close to my heart.
The Challenge
For 60 hours, I’ll be circling a 100km loop. I’ll wear a live tracker so you can follow my progress, cheer me on, or even join me for a section. No sleep. No breaks. Just forward motion.
The longest I’ve ever gone before is 40 hours straight. This time? It’s another 20 hours. Another day. And I won’t pretend it’s going to be easy—because it won’t. I know what’s coming:
Physical exhaustion.
Mental fatigue.
Hallucinations (yes, really—after two nights with no sleep, your brain starts creating its own reality).
That quiet voice that says: “You’ve done enough. You can stop now.”
But I also know this: I won’t be doing this alone. Because I’ll be walking for something bigger than myself.
Walking With Purpose: Why Humanity Direct Matters
One of the main charities I’m supporting is Humanity Direct.
I’ve had the privilege of working with them for over 12 years—ever since Nick, one of the founders, asked me to speak at an event. I was instantly drawn in. This is a charity that operates with complete transparency. Every penny you donate goes directly to funding life-changing operations for children in need.
You don’t just give to a cause—you change a life, child by child.
I’ll never forget my 50th challenge, the Yukon Arctic Ultra, when I raised money for a little girl called Grace. She was born without ears and needed surgery so she could hear—and go to school like every other child.
We raised enough for one ear.
That might sound like “half a solution,” but it changed everything. Grace could hear. She could learn. She could belong and most importantly she returned to school.
When she sent me a video saying, “Thank you, Neil, for my ear,” I broke. That moment reminded me why we do these things. Why we push. Why we walk into the unknown.
Because on the other side of the pain, the fatigue, the fire – is hope.
This One’s For Grace—and Every Child Like Her
So yes, I’m going to suffer.
And I want to. Because the harder it is, the more people will stop and think. The more they’ll ask why someone would willingly put themselves through this. And the more we’ll raise for children like Grace who are waiting for life-changing surgery.
How You Can Help
Donate if you can —whether it’s £1 or £100, every single penny makes a difference.
Follow my tracker —cheer me on, send a message, or come and walk a lap with me.
Share this story —because someone you know might be moved to act.
This isn’t just a challenge.
It’s a symbol. A reminder.
That even as the years pass, we can still choose to grow. We can still choose to serve. We can still choose to walk into adversity—not for ourselves, but for others.
Final Thought
There’s a fire waiting ahead.
And I’m not walking around it.
I’m walking through it—with purpose, belief, and the support of people like you.
Let’s turn this 60-hour journey into something that changes lives.
Thank you for walking with me.
Neil
For more details of Neil’s extraordinary Challenge and to donate, tap here.