A Liverpool fan running from London to Paris in memory of his son is making good progress on his gruelling 250-mile journey.
Matthew Gaut began this mammoth task at Greenwich Park on Tuesday evening and is due to arrive in the French capital on Sunday afternoon. Mr Gaut decided to take on this challenge to help launch a paediatric trials network for kids living with blood cancer across the United Kingdom.
A charity close to his heart after the tragic passing of his son, Harry, at the age of six to AML (acute myeloid leukaemia), Matthew was left inspired by the level of care his son received throughout his life and is now going to extreme lengths to raise money for Cure Leukaemia - a national blood cancer charity which funds pioneering trials across the UK to connect patients with potentially life-saving treatments.
On the fifth anniversary of Harrys passing, Matthew cycled from London to Paris in a show of support for the work being done by Cure Leukaemia and is now at the start of another heroic effort to help change the lives of those battling cancer. To date, over £57,000 has been raised but the end target stands at £100,000.
READ MORE: Liverpool fans could see Alexis Mac Allister in action sooner than they think
READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister has already said what Jurgen Klopp will love to hear at Liverpool
An avid Liverpool supporter, Mr Gaut is fully aware of how the football helps in the most testing of times and is calling on Blues and Reds to unite to support his worthy cause. Fans of both clubs have the chance to see Matt wear either his beloved Liverpool shirt or an Everton shirt as part of his fundraising. Whichever fanbase donates the most money will see him wear their shirt for a part of the run.
Everton fans can donate, here
Liverpool fans can donate, here.
“Football is a great unifier," he told the ECHO earlier this year. "You don’t know the dad by the hospital bed opposite you with a little kid in the same position as my Harry, but if he is wearing a Liverpool shirt you know you have something in common. Football gets you out of your current reality for 90 minutes. Instead of 'You’ll Never Walk Alone', for me that becomes 'You Will Never Run Alone' as that is what I am singing along when I go running in the darkness. We will have that sung a lot on the way to Paris.”
On how he will feel when he arrives into Paris on June 11, Matthew added: “I think I'll turn into a blubbering wreck if I am quite honest. I am fairly comfortable with that. It will be, hopefully, a feeling of immense pride, but also just sheer relief that I've managed to get there in one piece. It will be a combination of things, but also gratitude that I've been given an opportunity to do something, hopefully, very positive for an amazing charity and hopefully for some not-so-lucky children.
"The work that the Cure Leukaemia team are doing is raising vital funds to combat this awful disease. I’m grateful to have found a charity that now feels like an extension of my family. We are now forever entwined, and I will go on doing whatever I can until I draw my last breath.”
“Harry was such a happy, loving and brave little boy who never complained about his illness and we are so very proud of him. No one should have to go through what that little boy endured. Despite the incredible advances and research over the years into this cruel disease, it still takes far too many lives - young and old.”
You can help support Matt’s fundraising by donating online via his JustGiving page, here.
READ NEXT:
