William Sercombe is raising money for Cancer Research UK in memory of his dad, Charles Sercombe, a well-respected Leicestershire farmer and former NFU livestock chair, and set off on the challenge on 13 June.
Will has been training for the gruelling run from Scotland to Cornwall alongside completing his final year at Bath University where he is studying mathematics.
The 22-year-old started raising money when he learnt of Charles’ diagnosis with stomach cancer in May 2024. To process this news, he started running five kilometres every day for a year and this culminated with an epic endurance run when he completed seven marathons in seven days. His final marathon finished at the Leicestershire Young Farmers’ Rally on 10 May last year and his fundraising efforts so far have exceeded £20,000 for the cancer charity.
Will chose Cancer Research UK as he said it resonated with him as the charity aims to try to find a cure for the dreadful disease. He said he wanted to play his part to prevent as many families as possible, going through a similar experience.
“I want to represent and symbolise how hard farmers work and hopefully give them the credit they deserve.”
Will Sercombe
Will said: “I want to represent and symbolise how hard farmers work and hopefully give them the credit they deserve, as without the hours they put into their produce I and the rest of the country would not be sufficiently fuelled to meet our daily challenges.
“There are lots of good cancer charities out there but I liked the idea of running for Cancer Research UK as the work they do is really important, trying to find a cure, and I just want no other family to have to go through what ours did.”
Charles' legacy
Charles Sercombe was an active member of the NFU for many years, starting out as a local member and then progressing through the ranks until he took on the role of National Livestock Board chair, which he held for six years until 2018. He also took on a variety of other roles within the livestock industry all while running his own sheep business based at Sandlands Farm, Frisby on the Wreake, Melton Mowbray.
His business consisted of pedigree Charollais and commercial sheep flocks and Helen, Will’s mum, and daughter Grace are still based at the family farm and are continuing Charles’ legacy, albeit in a reduced capacity.
Helen said: “Charles always worked on behalf of others especially in the sheep industry, and now in his own way William is following that ethos.
“I am looking forward to taking on this journey with William and if we meet some farmers on the way, where we can share a common interest and perhaps memories of Charles, that would be great.”
She added that support from the farming community would be appreciated while Will was running and urged people to give him a shout if they saw him and share details about his charity quest. The family are also looking for fields or drives to park on as they progress down the UK in their campervan, which is Will’s official support vehicle.
Helen said the whole Sercombe family remained incredibly proud of William’s efforts but would also like to stress to farmers to look after their own health and wellbeing. She said farmers were “hard-working, strong-willed people who often said they were too busy to go to the doctors or seek advice, believing everything would be alright”. The family is urging the farming community to seek advice and guidance from medical professionals, not delay, and go for regular check-ups with their GPs.
Next level
Marie Charles, NFU Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland county adviser, said: “Charles was well respected within the NFU and wider farming community and I commend Will for his efforts to raise awareness and funds and remember his dad in this way.
"Doing seven marathons in seven days was so impressive and this run is next level – we wish him every success and I know everyone will be too as he chalks off the miles.”
People are urged to share William’s story far and wide and any donations to help him achieve his fundraising goals will be gratefully received.
Please go to Will's fundraising page to donate
Will is hoping to run approximately 90km per day and his daily routes will be available on his page Where there’s a Will there’s a way on Facebook.
The route
Starting at John o' Groats he will continue down the east coast of Scotland through Edinburgh. Then across to Gretna Green and down the west of England through Shropshire and down to Bristol. He will then head into the west country towards the finish at Land’s End.