Even a back injury couldn’t stop one man from Witney conquering his quest to complete the Reading Half Marathon earlier this month.
Matthew Hambridge, pictured, was determined to get round the 13.1-mile gruelling course on March 5 which started at Green Park and finished at the Madejski Stadium and in doing so he has managed to raise close to ÂŁ200 for Play2Give.
Matthew said: “Tough run was the Reading half marathon, especially when I go to mile 10. The legs were really tired but the thought of everyone who sponsored me and seeing lots of other runners working so hard it got me to the end.
“What also spurred me on to cross that finish line in sight was the visions of all the poorly children in the hospital that all the money I’ve helped raise will benefit. Being a dad of three the children’s hospital is something close to my heart, knowing that we have such an amazing facility on our doorstep and that it should never be taken for granted as no-one knows when they may need to use it.
“And, for me, supporting P2G is a no-brainer, it’s my favourite cause, Andy Baker and the team do incredible work tirelessly all year round and it’s important we continue to support them so they can keep up their great work for children in hospital and so many other good causes locally.”
Mr Hambridge, 35, who works at Cottsway Housing Association in Witney, has supported P2G for many years after first taking part in a football tournament in 2009 which was when he became inspired to help Andrew Baker and the team raise funds for various local causes, in particular the Children’s Hospital at the John Radcliffe Hospital.