A New Zealand man with a mission recently made a pit stop in Swift Current during his coast-to-coast run across Canada.

Jon Nabbs is not just covering ground; he's covering it with purpose. His journey, spanning roughly 7,500 kilometers from St. Johns, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia, is a heartfelt endeavour to raise funds for Childhood Cancer Canada.

As the first Kiwi and the fifth person to embark on this solo trek without a support crew, he is carving his own path towards a meaningful cause while following in the footsteps of legend Terry Fox. 

The motivation behind his mission is deeply personal. Having lost both his parents to cancer, his father succumbing to skin cancer three years ago and his mother falling victim to bowel cancer a year later, Nabbs carries the weight of their memory with every step.

"I'm stopping in at children's hospitals along the way dressed up as Superman," he said. "Specifically into the cancer wards where the kids are sitting around sort of bored out of their brains waiting for chemo and radiotherapy and cancer treatment. I don't know what it feels like to get cancer, but I certainly know what it feels like to have the diagnosis in the family."

Day 234 landed him in the city where he found shelter and food with the Swift Current Fire Department. 

Running approximately 40 to 45 kilometers per day, Nabbs's route extends to children's hospitals along the way dressed as Superman. 

Reflecting on his journey, he expressed appreciation for the scenic beauty of the southwestern Saskatchewan landscape.

"I've really enjoyed the scenery and seeing all the farms and the grain elevators," he said. "I know it's so much part of the lifestyle here. I'm a farm boy from back in New Zealand, and I very much appreciate that scenery here and that lifestyle; it's got its own charm that’s not lost on me.”

With the finish line on the west coast in sight next month, Nabbs remains steadfast in his mission. His fundraising goal of $60,000 still requires support; he hopes to raise the remaining $23,900 between now and his anticipated arrival to Victoria, proving that every step brings him closer to making a significant impact on childhood cancer in Canada.

To track Nabbs's whereabouts and donate to the cause, visit his website.