Alfie Watts, who gained national attention for winning the BBC series 'Race Across The World' in 2024 alongside his friend Owen Wood, is preparing for his next major travel endeavor. This new challenge involves driving a tuk-tuk from London to the North Cape in Norway, a journey spanning 12 countries over 30 days, commencing on May 24. The adventure aims to raise £100,000 for YoungMinds, a mental health charity.
Watts, 22, who has spent 18 months planning the trip, described this undertaking as significantly more demanding than his previous BBC show experience. "At the end of the day, everything falls on my head," he stated in an interview with the Daily Mail. "If the project doesn't work, it falls on my head. If we don't raise as much money as I want to, nobody's going to obviously criticise it, but that still falls on my head." He expressed feeling a "lot more responsibility" compared to the show, where camera crews and logistical support were provided. "This very much feels like I'm owning my own edition of Race Across The World, and liability is mine."
The Journey and its Costs
The route Watts will take is approximately 700 miles longer than the most direct path, winding through Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, and Finland before reaching its final destination in Norway. Watts hopes this scenic route will allow him to "cover as many cultures and many different countries" while raising awareness for youth mental health issues. He anticipates conversations with locals, similar to his 'Race Across The World' experience.
However, the financial aspect of this challenge is substantially different. While participants in 'Race Across The World' were given a budget of £1,390 each, Watts' tuk-tuk adventure has incurred a cost of £55,000, exceeding his initial estimate of £12,000. Sponsors such as eSIM provider Airalo and M&S have provided support, but a significant portion is being funded personally. "It's a very expensive challenge," Watts admitted, viewing the expenditure as an investment. "But I see it as an investment. I believe it’s the right thing to do."
Major expenses include hiring a cameraman, a support vehicle, and an editor. Securing insurance for the tuk-tuk also proved difficult, with few companies willing to cover such an unconventional vehicle. Watts described tuk-tuks as "very poorly engineered" and "not very advanced," acknowledging the potential for mechanical failures over the planned 200 miles per day. "Everything could go wrong," he noted, citing the possibility of breakdowns and the difficulty in sourcing spare parts in some countries.
To mitigate these risks, Watts has undertaken basic repair training. The schedule allows for potential delays, with provisions for shipping parts if necessary. Despite the vehicle's limitations, he noted that tuk-tuks are designed for durability, capable of traveling thousands of miles. Nevertheless, he recognized other potential hazards, including "incidents on the road" or being "pulled over for being too slow."
Personal Impact and Inspiration
Despite the challenges, Watts is eager for the human interactions the journey will provide. "I can’t wait to walk into a bar in Poland, find someone who speaks English, and have a conversation about how mental health differs from London to wherever we are," he said. Accommodation has been pre-booked for each night of the journey.
Upon completion of the challenge, the tuk-tuk will be transported back to the UK using a trailer and additional drivers. Watts credits 'Race Across The World' as the catalyst for his current wanderlust and his belief in undertaking meaningful travel. "This has all come from Race Across The World - that wanderlust, that desire to travel and to believe in what we’re doing. It all stemmed from the show."