My Story

26.2 miles for our Charlie 💛

In 2026, I’ll be running my very first marathon, the London Marathon! Until recently, the furthest I had ever run was just 7km, so this challenge is a big one for me. With my 30th birthday on the horizon, the timing felt right to take on something meaningful. But I knew that if I was ever going to run a marathon, it had to be for a cause that truly mattered to me and I’m proud to say I’ll be running in aid of the Garwood Foundation.

The Garwood Foundation is a wonderful charity that supports children and adults with severe physical and learning disabilities, helping them live life with dignity, joy and independence. One of their services, Rutherford School, played an instrumental role in the life of my late brother, Charlie Matthews.

Charlie attended Rutherford School for 16 years and the care, love and joy they gave him shaped some of the most treasured memories for our whole family. From the dedicated staff to the laughter-filled Sunshine Class, the school was a constant source of happiness in Charlie’s life. They provided not just learning, but a space where he could truly be himself, enjoying jazz music, food and sharing his infectious laugh with everyone around him.

Anyone who knew Charlie remembers his lovable nature, his bright personality and the way he lit up a room. Rutherford School gave him the opportunity to live fully and joyfully every day and I will always be grateful for that. Watching him grow in that environment is something I will cherish forever.

They supported not just Charlie, but our whole family, through good days, difficult ones and everything in between. Over the years, we built lifelong friendships with members of the incredible Rutherford staff and we cannot thank them enough for the support, love and dedication they gave us. The school played a fundamental role in Charlie’s life, allowing him to excel and be happy to his fullest every single day. For that, we are endlessly grateful.

That’s why I’m running in aid of the Garwood Foundation, to help ensure they can continue creating these moments for other families like ours. This charity truly means so much to me and I feel incredibly proud to be supporting a cause that gave my brother, and our family, so much love, joy and support. Every step I take on marathon day will be for our Charlie and for the amazing work the Garwood Foundation continues to do. I’ve set a fundraising goal of £2,000 and every donation, no matter how small, makes a real difference.

Thank you so much for reading my story and for supporting a charity so close to my heart.