A gruelling journey of love: Former Army Commando's 24hr challenge raises awareness for neuroendocrine cancer

An Ivybridge resident and former Army Commando has completed a gruelling 100km charity walk from Westward Ho! to Plymouth Hoe in less than 24 hours, raising more than £10,000 for a cancer charity.

Liam Aitchison completed the challenge in 22 hours and 45 minutes on Saturday, August 29, raising £10,766 for Neuroendocrine Cancer UK.

The fundraiser was inspired by his sister Eilidh, 49, who is currently battling neuroendocrine carcinoma – a particularly rare and aggressive form of neuroendocrine cancer.

Eilidh’s cancer journey began in August 2025, when she was experiencing severe pain and had a palpable lump identified in her anal/rectal canal.

She underwent private investigations, including a colonoscopy and biopsies, which resulted in the devastating diagnosis; she began intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy eight days later.

After five months of treatment, Eilidh was given the all-clear. However, in April, she received the news that her cancer had returned.

Eilidh is now undergoing further chemotherapy and has completed her fourth round, despite suffering a serious infection resulting in sepsis and several falls after fainting.

For Liam, who served as an Army Commando in Iraq, Afghanistan and Africa, the challenge was one of the toughest physical and mental tests he has undertaken.

He said: “As a former Plymouth-based Army Commando, I’ve experienced my fair share of physically and mentally demanding situations, but this was genuinely one of the most gruelling things I’ve ever put myself through.

“Every single step, though, was worth it.”

The route took Liam from Westward Ho! across Devon to Smeaton's Tower at Plymouth Hoe, with the challenge requiring him to walk 100km in under 24 hours.

Despite his military background and experience of demanding environments, the sheer length and emotional weight of the challenge tested him physically and mentally.

“I'm doing this for one simple reason... my sister, Eilidh,” Liam said. “Watching someone you love face that battle leaves you feeling helpless at times.

“While I can't fight it for her, I can challenge myself to raise money for those who are.”

But the £10,000 milestone was not the only motivation behind the fundraiser.

Liam said that before his sister’s diagnosis, neuroendocrine cancer was a condition he “knew virtually nothing about”, and he has since become aware of how little public understanding there is of neuroendocrine cancers more generally.

There are several different types of neuroendocrine cancer, ranging from slower-growing tumours to much rarer, fast-growing and aggressive forms such as neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Because the cancers can occur in different parts of the body and symptoms can be non-specific, diagnosis can be complex.

“That lack of awareness is a huge part of why I wanted to do something that would make people stop, take notice and hopefully learn a little more about it,” Liam said.

“So while breaking £10,000 is phenomenal, if this challenge also means more people have now heard the words neuroendocrine cancer, then it has achieved something equally important to me.”

Leanne Aitchison, who runs a removals business based in Dartington, praised her husband’s achievement.

“I’m so incredibly proud of Liam,” she said. “There was no way he wasn’t going to complete the walk, even if it meant crawling over the finish line.

“He had two of his best mates, Mal and Ricky, join him on the walk. They all served together at 29 Commando, based in Plymouth.

“It meant so much to see them all take on the challenge together, and I couldn’t be prouder of Liam and what he’s achieved.”

The couple are now hoping the appeal can reach its next target before it closes.

Liam said: “It would be amazing to reach £11,000 before we look to close it off.”

The fundraiser remains open on JustGiving at bit.ly/4xOHDSy, and Eilidh’s journey can be followed on Instagram @100kmforeilidh