28-year-old health worker Debbie Matthews has raised more than £2,000 for Help for Heroes as she attempted to run around the Isle of Wight in less than 24 hours.
Forced to carry her own supplies, after the late withdrawal of her support car driver, Debbie Matthews called a halt to her attempt after covering 58.13 miles in 17 hours. Hemmed in at midnight by roads with a national speed limit, she felt it was not safe for her to continue as drivers would not have been able to see her.
Debbie has said:
“It was brutal. Really hard. What a challenge. When people say the Isle of Wight is hilly, they’re not wrong.”
“I got to Brading but, by midnight, it was really dark, and I had to call a halt with about 10 miles remaining. I decided, for my own safety, I had to finish it there. I couldn’t risk my life. In the end I couldn’t find a way back to Ryde, where I wanted to recommence the run, as there were no trains from Brading at that time of night.
“Fortunately, my nan’s friend, Elizabeth Gelhard, came out and picked me up and took me back to the Prince of Wales pub, in East Cowes, from where I’d set out. Pia Bamber at the pub was so supportive. She gave me two nights complimentary accommodation and even chipped in a £90 donation. They couldn’t do enough for me; they even decorated the pub for the start of the run.”
Debbie added:
“I’ve climbed the Malvern Hills, near where I live, and that’s hard, but this is an extra 1,000 feet on top. Overall, the climb was 3,700ft, which I’ve never accomplished before, so I’m taking the positives.
Article continues below this advertisement “I did enjoy the views and sights as I went around, though. And, while that was my first visit to the Isle of Wight, I will go back – but to relax next time.
“I’m convinced I would have finished it if I’d had the support vehicle, because I had to carry a bag on my back, which was weighing me down. On the way round I developed hip and back pain as a result and the handles cut into my neck. It made it a stop-start affair as well – but I did it.”
Like most visitors to the Island, Debbie was left with some good memories, and one, in particular, struck a chord with her.
“Running away from the Needles towards the Tennyson Monument was an impressive sight. All the grass was manicured, and I felt like a warrior running up the bank towards a fort.”
Help for Heroes Area Fundraising Manager, Rhys Edwards, said:
“At a time when people are struggling financially and in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, for one individual to raise £2,114 like this is a fantastic achievement.
“And to do it without any support vehicle and carrying her own supplies just beggars belief. We send our thanks to Debbie and all those who donated or helped her along the way.”
To add to Debbie Matthews’ round-the-Island run fundraising total, please visit bit.ly/DebsIOW.
Well done to you but .. “help for heroes ” ? Sorry nah there has been no heroes since 1945 all modern day soldiers have signed up for combat so they know what to expect mostly bullies and thugs who enjoyed killing the afghans and Iraqis certainly not heroes in my opinion
You are the very definition of the word “idiot”. The perfect justification for national service.
What has your contribution to your safety and security been? Apart from making inane and completely uneducated comments in a local paper.
A pity that her charity could not provide a support vehicle
Amazing achivement Well done