A Somerset man is running three marathons in three countries in three months to raise vital funds for a Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) Special Named Fund.
Matt Redwood, from Wiveliscombe, took on the first of an endurance-testing trilogy in Luxembourg last month in support of Jack’s Journey, which raises money for research into Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a rare cancer that affects around 50 children a year in the UK.
The fund was set up by Matt’s cousin Lucy and her husband Nick, after their son - and Matt’s second cousin - Jack was diagnosed with LCH just days before his first birthday in November 2021.
Since then, the pair, along with friends and family, have raised over £56,000, with Matt, 23, determined to add to the incredible total.
Matt, who, before tackling the ING Night Marathon Luxembourg, had never run one before, said:
I've always wanted to raise money for something, and it's given me that reason to step forward and do it.
[And] I'd always wanted to do a marathon. It's been one of my goals.
So, I thought why I shouldn’t step forward and go for this challenge where I can raise funds for people who are less fortunate?
Matt, who finished with an impressive time of 3:39:29, said that though the race was tough, it was “one of the best experiences” of his life.
He said:
Obviously, I’d never done a marathon before, so knew it was going to be a bit of a challenge.
And it was tough, especially from 35km onwards, but the crowd helped with this, screaming their praise and motivating you to get through the next mile. My legs had definitely felt better days after but, surprisingly, I wasn’t too bad the next day.
The race itself was amazing - it was so well organised, and the occasion was incredible. It was a 7pm start so all the streets were lit up.
There were over 100,000 spectators crowding around the streets of Luxembourg, and street bands, DJs and choirs on most race corners. It had it all!
Next up for Matt is the gruelling Nordmarka Forest Marathon through woodland in Norway on June 17, with the final leg in Croatia in July, on a route determined by himself.
Buoyed by having now completed his first marathon, he said he’s looking forward to the different challenges they’ll bring.
Matt explained:
The second marathon I'm doing is around a forest in Oslo, through little waterfalls and over rocks and things. They say you should [expect this to] add on about another 30 minutes to an hour on to your time, so it will take a bit longer to do that one.
The third one's in Croatia in July, so it's obviously going to be quite hot. They’re all experiences and have something different about them, which is great.
Helping Matt through his training and the marathons themselves will be the thought of why he is taking them on in the first place, which he said has provided the motivation for him to keep going.
He added: “It pushes me forward and just makes me put that little bit more effort in.”
Matt has already raised more than £1,500 for Jack’s Journey. He thanked all those who have supported him and asked others to do the same.
He said: “Thank you to everybody who has donated. It all goes a long way. Every pound and penny add up and is going to a great cause.”
Lizzie Goates, Fundraising Manager Community & Corporates at CCLG, said:
We’d like to say a big thank you and well done to Matt for his incredible efforts so far.
The money he has raised will go a long way to funding pioneering and much-needed research into LCH, helping to make a huge difference for children and their families in the future.