A 28-year-old health worker from Stourport-on-Severn is attempting to run around the Isle of Wight in less than 24 hours next week to raise funds for Help for Heroes – but has been left without a support driver for the challenge.
Debbie Matthews was inspired to raise money for the Armed Forces charity while on a run last year to support Diabetes UK. During the 2nd leg of her coast-to-coast run, from Southwold, in Norfolk, to the Midlands, she was struck by the sacrifices made by those at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial – which contains more than 3,000 American war dead.
The occupational health technician explained:
“I stood there and was inspired to complete the east-to-west portion of the run. I thought these people who are remembered here never had a choice; they had to fight for their country. I was raising money, but I’d chosen to do the run; it was only 8 days that I was giving up – these guys gave up their lives to protect us.
“I wanted to make my fundraising run an annual event, so I thought, in 2023, I want to give something back to our Armed Forces – and that’s why I chose Help for Heroes. I also wanted to raise the profile of the Charity, so veterans know there is support out there for them, whether it’s a physical or psychological injury they’re suffering from. Without the military where would we be? It would be a different world we’re living in.”
This year, the keen runner decided to see how many miles she could run in 24 hours in her hometown. Running 1-mile laps on a figure-of-8 circuit from a bar called TCs, she completed 86 miles – all while turning heads in a Supergirl outfit. The following day, she hosted a quiz night in another local venue which saw a total of around £1,600 raised across the 2 days.
She said:
“Earlier this year I ran around Hayling Island, in Hampshire, which is 14 miles and saw the Isle of Wight and thought that would be a good challenge. I’ve never even been to the Isle of Wight.”
Article continues below this advertisement “I started planning it and it was only 73 miles and decided that’s doable. The ‘how many miles in 24 hours’ concept was my training for this to see if I could push myself to do the whole of the Isle of Wight in 24 hours.”
Unfortunately, her support driver has been forced to pull out of the challenge so Matthews would welcome any offers of help or support as she attempts to round the Island in 24 hours.
She said:
“Run wherever my feet carry me, is a saying I have always used since I ever started running. But I do have to look after number 1, so, without a support car, every 10 miles, I will stop, assess, and evaluate.”
“If people want to join me running a few miles or just want to give me something to keep me hydrated that would be very welcome. I’d like the company, to be honest. You can’t miss me – I’ll be dressed as Supergirl again.”
Her journey around the Island, anti-clockwise, will begin at 06:00 at the Prince of Wales pub in York Avenue, East Cowes. She will run alongside the River Medina, towards Cowes, arriving in Gurnard, at around 08:00. Further ‘evaluation’ stops will be at Hamstead (10:30), ELM Memorial Obelisk, Freshwater (13:45), the Wight Mouse Inn, Ventnor (16:00), Shanklin (18:30), and Nettleston (20:30), before returning to the Prince of Wales between 22:00 and 00:00.
Help for Heroes Area Fundraising Manager, Rhys Edwards, said:
“The story of why Debbie chose to raise money for us is heartwarming, but the extent to which she is challenging herself is amazing. And we’re very grateful. The Isle of Wight is renowned for its hospitality so, given she no longer has a support car, I hope residents can give her a wave and a cheer as she passes by.”
Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps them live well after service. The charity helps them, and their families, to recover and get on with their lives. It has already supported more than 30,000 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.
The Charity supports veterans from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians (and their families) who worked alongside our Armed Forces.
Good luck running the coastal path from Guarnard to Thornesse bay if it’s wet