FOR MOST people, supporting family running in a big race means standing on the sidelines, cheering them on.
But not for the Matthews.
The family are all gearing up to run in the London Marathon in just a couple of weeks’ time – and they’ve set themselves a massive fundraising target of £7,600 in aid of St John Ambulance.
Like many people, the team – Molly, Ruth, Winston and Goose – applied for ordinary places in the extraordinarily popular race through the streets of London. And like many people, they failed to get a place in the ballot.
But the team were offered places by St John Ambulance and they snapped them up.
Now they are busy preparing to run the 26.2 mile distance.
A note on their JustGiving page explains more about their joint adventure.
“After failing to get ballot places we thought we’d just try again next year but when SJA offered us places we had to say yes! There is also no question that Molly loves a marathon; Rut would get major FOMO [fear of missing out] despite juggling her final year, dissertation and exams and Goose put a marathon on her Gap Year bucket list and has six months to tick it off,” it says.
And the team also know the value of the St John Ambulance.
They say: “It is a fabulous charity and our lives and communities wouldn’t be the same without their tireless work and commitment. In terms of in our everyday lives St John Ambulance are present at; all our organised races; all the festivals Molly works at; at Ruth’s uni events such as varsity and even do all the training qualifications in first aid which Ruth and Goose have completed (along with thousands of others).”
The team say that they are now able to run at least 20 miles, ensuring they are on track to compete on the big day, Sunday, April 28.
They add: “Any donation that you can give, big or small will really help us get around on the big day and also enable St John Ambulance to continue all their good work.
“We promise we’ll try to smile from start to finish of the 26.2 miles.”
To offer your support, log on to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/team-matthews-4
