Ranger’s 190-mile C to C run for charity

News Release / 06.05.2010

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Ranger Matt Neale is training hard for the longest run of his life – 190 miles in under 60 hours.

The 37-year-old, who is the Area Ranger for Upper Wensleydale, is planning to run the gruelling Coast-to-Coast route from St Bee’s Head to Robin Hood’s Bay, on June 25/26th to raise cash for the breast cancer unit at Northallerton Hospital, where his partner Andrea Burden is undergoing treatment.

Andrea, 44, works as a Planning Officer for the YDNPA.

It won’t be the first long-distance run Matt has taken part in, but he says it will be the toughest. And his colleagues in the National Park Authority are behind him 100 per cent of the way.

“Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer in September last year and she has received fantastic care from nursing staff in the Scott Suite cancer unit at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton,” Matt said.

“This has highlighted the importance of specialised equipment and support, so I have decided to help them to help others and I hope to raise several thousands of pounds.

“Unfortunately breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK, with one in nine women developing breast cancer at some point in their lives.”

Matt has previously run six, 100-mile challenge events, including the Lakeland 100, and has twice taken part in the gruelling 166kms Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc which has a total of 30,000ft ascent, around the famous mountain in the Alps.

“I think this will be the hardest I have done,” he said. “I have run for 38 hours continuously on a previous event. I might have the odd 10 minutes sleep here and there but I don’t intend to sleep or stop for several hours – I pretty much plan to keep going from start to finish.

“I’ve got great support from Kudu Bikes in Hawes, which has printed flyers and T shirts for me and is providing a van for support checkpoints. And Lyon Equipment, Suunto, Innov 8, and Orange mountain bikes have donated outdoor gear that is being auctioned off to raise money. I’ve also got a dozen other runners who will be running different sections to help keep me going, which will a great help.”

David Butterworth, the YDNPA’s Chief Executive, said: “Matt’s effort is truly inspirational. It feels quite humbling to watch him as he attempts to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause.

“The staff at the National Park Authority have been deeply touched by his determination and will be supporting him all the way to the finish.”

Anyone wanting more info on the run should visit
www.justgiving.com/matts-coast-to-coast-ultra-marathon.