A dad from Fareham completed the 26.2 miles London Marathon on 27 April. Although that’s a feat enough for many, Russell Matthews had run the Boston Marathon too, just a few days earlier on 21 April.
Since 2023, Russell, who works for ABP Southampton as a Marine Pilot, has run the six world major marathons in London (2023), New York (2023), Chicago (2023), Tokyo (2024), Berlin (2023 and 2024), as well as Boston and London 2025, earning him the Six Star Marathon Medal. In total, Russell has run 11 marathons for Young Lives vs Cancer.
Russell was inspired to run for the charity because of the support he received for his 12-year-old son Harry, who is receiving treatment for his leukaemia for a third time. Harry relapsed in December 2024 and is currently in Great Ormond Street Hospital where he is recovering from his bone marrow treatment.
Russell Matthews said: “When Harry relapsed, I stopped running and decided to pull out of all the upcoming events I had planned, but family and friends told me not to make any rash decisions. I was due to complete the Six Star challenge that I began in 2023 by running the 2025 Boston Marathon, and I’d be lying if I said this did not play on my mind, as I’d worked so hard to get a place; but at the same time, I felt extremely selfish for even thinking about running.
“In January, a friend asked what got me into running; I quickly replied that I wanted to raise awareness and support Young Lives vs Cancer, so in 2017, I signed up to run the Torbay Half Marathon. While every challenge I’ve undertaken since has pushed me personally, the main aim has always been to raise awareness and support for Young Lives vs Cancer. With the date looming to commit to the Boston Marathon, I realised, now more than ever, the importance of supporting this amazing charity and the work they do helping young people and families who find themselves going through this horrible nightmare that is cancer.
“Running the London Marathon was tough in the heat, but you just think of why you are running and what children like Harry and the others are going through. I know the difference that Young Lives vs Cancer makes with their specialist social workers like Emily who is based at Southampton General Hospital and their Homes from Home which we have stayed in various homes over the years.”
Liz Blunt, Senior Fundraising Engagement Manager for Young Lives vs Cancer said: “It has been such a pleasure to be in touch with fabulous Russ and his equally fantastic family of Jane, Jessica and Harry over many years. The impact of Russ’ fundraising is huge for our charity. To have raised over £37,000 is immense and could pay for families to stay 528 nights in one of our “Homes from Home” like Jean’s House in Southampton or 1,423 of hours for families to spend with our specialist social workers. A massive thank you to Russ for making a difference. On behalf of Young Lives vs Cancer, I would like to send Russ and all the family our very best wishes and hope that the rest of Harry’s treatment goes well.”
To sponsor Russell, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Russell-Matthews-2023
For more information about Young Lives vs Cancer’s work (formerly CLIC Sargent), visit www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk
