The 21-year-old British skater who embarked on an ambitious journey in early May to travel 2,414 kilometers from Brighton to Tangier via skateboard faced several obstacles en route – mostly literal ones. Sam Allison, aiming to gather donations for the Ben Raemers Foundation during his skate across France and Spain, was nearly forced to abandon his quest due to unforeseen circumstances.
Midway through his journey, when he was camping in France, somebody
swiped
everything : His tent, clothes, even his passport. All Sam had left was his phone, wallet, and an unshakable stubbornness. «It’s just sad. I’m trying to do a good thing, and I’ve had that taken from me», he shared on social media.
But instead of throwing in the towel, Sam detoured to Bordeaux, got an emergency travel document, and restocked his kit. With a lighter bag (thanks, thief?), he joked that skating actually felt a bit smoother.
Back on schedule now, Sam is cruising through France and Spain, with his sights set on crossing the finish line in Tangier, Morocco.
When he began his voyage, Sam
said
He felt driven to back the Ben Raemers Foundation since skateboarding assisted him during his personal battles with mental health.
“I hadn’t grasped the extent of its impact on your life until I faced my personal challenges,” he stated. “Since then, it has stayed with me to promote awareness about mental health within the skating community.”
Sam had intended to cover approximately 48 kilometers each day for 55 days, lugging along a heavy backpack filled with necessities such as clothing, camping equipment, a sleeping bag, a tent, and extra skateboard wheels… until he disappeared without a trace.
His friend Lucas Perrin is expected to join him by bicycle for parts of the journey, helping to keep his spirits up, make sure he’s hydrated, and, let’s be honest, ensure he doesn’t get lost.