In November 2013, Pub landlord Alex Lewis's life took a dramatic turn when he developed septicaemia. To combat the condition, all four of Alex’s limbs were amputated. Despite the difficulties he has faced, Alex’s unwavering determination over the past decade has been a source of inspiration for many. In response to his experience, Alex established The Alex Lewis Trust, not only to help cover his future care costs but to give back to the establishments that supported him along the way.
This June, Alex embarked upon the epic PIG 2 PIG Challenge in aid of Hospitality Action, The Murray Parish Trust and the FLOAT Foundation. Starting from THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay, Alex hand-cycled to Falmouth Harbour, where he rowed 350 miles to Dover and then hand-cycled to THE PIG-at Bridge Place, before hand-cycling the 649 miles back to THE PIG-at Harlyn Bay!
Needless to say, Alex's tremendous efforts have paid off as his epic challenge has currently raised close to £30,000 including a fantastic £11,485 donation from generous PIG diners, who kindly volunteered to add £1 to their food bill across THE PIGs throughout the month of June!
The team at Hospitality Action caught up with Alex back on dry land to learn more...
Why did you decide to fundraise for Hospitality Action?
My wife Lucy and I own The Greyhound on the Test in Stockbridge, but when I fell ill in 2013 we owned another pub just outside of Hampshire. I was a terrible landlord; I was a heavy drinker and not a great partner or father. Lucy had worked with Robin Hutson at Hotel du Vin and he was her mentor. When I became ill we had to let go of our second pub, but Robin did everything in his power to ensure we could keep The Greyhound open. Knowing that Lucy had that support was amazing. Fundraising for HA, knowing what an advocate Robin is, is my way of thanking him.
How was the idea of the Pig 2 Pig challenge born?
Many years ago, myself and David Collinson set up the Wild Wheelchairs Project. We wanted to do something wheelchair-based on a mountain, across the desert, across an ocean/sea, across snow and ice, and something in the air. Our first trip in 2019 was to Ethiopia where I hand-cycled through the Semien mountains to raise money to enhance wheelchair facilities in North Ethiopia. In 2022 I planned to hand-cycle across the Namibian desert but the bike didn’t arrive in time, so I undertook the challenge on my mobility scooter, which was bumpy but incredible.
Next, it was time to do something on water. I emailed Charlie Pitcher at Rannoch Adventure who designs the world's fastest and most reliable boats and so began the Pig 2 Pig Challenge. We worked to adapt a donor sailing boat into a rowing boat and the project was all-consuming. I had originally planned to do the challenge in 2023, yet the boat wasn’t ready. But thanks to Rannoch Adventures and Bath University, we got there.
How did the delays to the boat being ready make you feel?
I was in LA where my documentary ‘Mountain’ was being premiered. I was due to fly back and start the Pig 2 Pig a few weeks later. But the boat wasn’t ready and we hadn’t done any real testing. From a health and safety standpoint, it was too risky…even though I was still up for it! The delay gave us another year to meet the rowers and do some essential testing. In fact, come June 3rd when I started the Pig 2 Pig I still hadn’t done any off-shore rowing! But the delay did give me a chance to get on the boat and see how it handled on the water.
What was going through your mind during the Pig 2 Pig? Can you share any memorable moments?
Undoubtedly the best bit was the row, I was terrified when I got in the boat on day one, but I was overcome with emotion. Also, the rough weather was the best thing ever! I was petrified but the fear made me focus so much and kept me so amazingly uncomfortable, it pushed me to a limit I’d never been to before. I was in incredible pain but every day I wanted to get back on the boat and be in the moment.
We also stopped at Winchester where they saved my life and at Salisbury where they kept me alive, stopping at both was very special to me.
Finally, we’ve never seen a quadruple amputee undertake offshore rowing, so none of us knew how it would work. There are many adjustments to make moving forward but we’ve made an incredible start and shown to all amputees that rowing is on, we can do it!
Would you encourage others to raise funds for Hospitality Action by undertaking a challenge event and tackling the seemingly impossible?
Absolutely, anything that takes you out of your comfort zone is worth trying. The Pig 2 Pig challenge had never been seen before and you need that from a fundraising perspective. Something special and unique.
Fundraising for HA was never in doubt, I would never have met my wife without hospitality, nor had my son. Hospitality has been a huge part of my life and I wouldn’t be doing any of this without it. I owe our industry a huge debt. And I think from a fundraising point of view, the weirder and more wonderful challenge you undertake, the better!
Huge thanks to Alex for his incredible and inspiring efforts!
