Marathon fund-raising challenge for Matt

Buy photos » Personal trainer Matt Smith is taking part in the London Marathon for St Richard's Hospice. (s)

AS A BUSY personal trainer Matt Smith knows exactly what he has to do to complete the London marathon.

Matt, who lives in Eckington, plans to raise more that £2,000 for St Richard’s Hospice and is busy preparing himself as well as his clients for the gruelling task ahead.

The 25-year-old will join tens of thousands of other fund-raisers in the capital on April 22 for the gruelling 26.2 mile challenge.

"Although personal training is my career I have never run a marathon before" Matt said.

"I have always done a bit of running to keep in shape, although my speciality is gym work and weights and helping my clients to lose weight through personal training. I was inspired to do this challenge for St Richard’s as a very good friend of mine lost his mother and the hospice gave them tremendous help and support. It is a fantastic place."

To support Matt log onto www.justgiving.com/matt-smith8

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and supports their families. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,200 patients and family members in Worcestershire.

Patients are cared for in Day Hospice, the 16-bed In-patient Unit or in their own homes by a specialist professional team as well as many trained volunteers.

In the In-patient Unit specialist staff are on hand 24 hours a day to manage patients’ symptoms and where, if they so choose, patients may spend the last few days of life in comfort and dignity. St Richard’s needs to raise £5.4million this year to continue their work.

For more information visit www.strichards.org.uk.