Royal Navy engineer completes 16-marathon challenge for mum's cancer treatment
Able Rate Will Matthew arrived in Portsmouth yesterday (Thursday 17th) following 13 days of running
Last updated 18th Oct 2024
A Royal Navy engineer has completed a challenge which saw him run 16 marathons in 13 days, to raise money for his mother's cancer treatment.
Able Rate (AB) Will Matthews from Arundel in West Sussex crossed the finish line at the Portsmouth Naval Base yesterday (Thursday 17th) after setting off in his 414-mile challenge from Gretna Green in Scotland on October 5th.
AB Matthews, who is based at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, ran an average of 31.8 miles a day during his journey, carrying all the kit he required in a rucksack and sleeping out in a bivvy bag most nights.
His goal was to raise just under £18,000 for his mother Lorna Matthews to undergo a promising new treatment her stage 4 oesophageal cancer.
He's been successful in reaching more than £19,300 as of Friday morning.
Lorna has been battling stage cancer for the past two years and has undergone numerous rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy during that time.
Will was reunited with his mum, dad and brother at the base upon completing his challenge, as well as receiving a warm welcome from Royal Navy personnel who came to cheer him on.
AB Matthews said:
"I chose to do this challenge because I wanted to get the word out there about the fundraising.
"With my mum battling 4 stage cancer, we needed to raise quite a bit of money for the chemotherapy treatment and, having seen previous fundraisers and charity events such as the ‘Hardest Geezer’ running the length of Africa, I thought I’d try and do something of a similar scale.
"Coming into Portsmouth Naval Base today and seeing my mum, dad and brother was really overwhelming. I have been thinking about this moment and coming to the finish line for the past two weeks.
“It was good to have a lot of people from the Royal Navy as well here today to show their support.”
You can donate to Will's marathon fundraiser here.