The keen athlete had pledged to run corresponding miles every day in August to match the date – starting with one mile on August 1 and working up through the calendar to running 31 miles on the final day of the month.
The graduate remote electronics engineer with Kintore-based pipeline technology specialist, STATS Group, is no stranger to mathematical challenges and if successful he will run 496 miles in August – or the equivalent of almost 19 marathons.
His employer had donated £250 to start his fundraising push and all monies raised will go to Oldmeldrum-based charity Kayleigh’s Wee Stars, which provides support to families who have a child dealing with a terminal illness.
Matthew, 23, is a member of Metro Aberdeen running club and has completed two marathons in recent years but this will be his toughest challenge yet, with the equivalent of more than six marathons to be completed in the final days of August.
He said: “I took up running when I was 17 and enjoy competing in events but this will be a completely different test to anything I have done before. The total distance to be run over the month is 496 miles but if I have the stamina I will round it up to a nice 500.
“I got to know of the work of Kayleigh’s Wee Stars through a fellow runner and it’s an excellent local charity which does a lot of great work. I set out to raise £750 and with the generous support of STATS and friends and family I have exceeded the target, but more is always welcome.”
- Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit Matthew’s Just Giving Page here