A REDDITCH businessman has raised over £2,500 for blood cancer charity, Myeloma UK.
Matt Banthorpe completed the Equinox24, a 24 hour running event around a 10km mixed terrain loop against the clock.
He started fundraising in 2019 after his dad was diagnosed with myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.
He said: “My Dad has always been a hero to me; he was self-employed for thirty-six years running a successful curtain business.
“He was never really ill but still pushed on when he was sick and regularly worked twelve hour days.
“He always had time for me and my two older sisters too.
“Watching him battle through all of the treatments and side effects as well as losing lots of weight was tough, but he never gave up even in the really dark times and never lost his attitude of getting it done.”
The aim of Equinox24 is to run as many 10km laps as possible with the hope of getting close to 100km. Matt covered 130km in 24 hours, smashing his distance goal.
He said: 24,000 people in the UK have myeloma, so that’s one hour on my feet for every 1000 people.
“If you know anything about me then you’ll know I like a challenge, but this is like nothing I’ve ever done before.
“To give it some thought – when was the last time you stayed awake for 24-hours solid?
“It was a real challenge, but nothing compared to what 24,000 people in the UK are dealing with.”
Matt is no stranger to challeneges, having run half marathons, trail marathons, multiple Spartan races and Europe’s Toughest Mudder.
He said: “I’ve found a joy in pushing myself further than I thought I ever could.
“My two boys, George and Henry, are both running in Spartan Kids races to ‘be like Daddy’ and my wife completed a 10k race for life in 2019.”
Myeloma is a relapsing-remitting cancer.
This means there are periods when the myeloma is causing symptoms and/or complications and needs to be treated, followed by periods of remission.
Matt said watching his dad go through treatment is what inspired him to complete his challenges.
“My dad had a stem cell transplant, even though he’s elderly, which is just incredible.
“The treatment options are getting better, but it is still a terminal cancer, that’s why the research is so important.”
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthew-banthorpe to donate.
