Matthew’s charity walk for 21 hours raises £6,500 and public awareness of Down Syndrome

Matthew’s charity walk for 21 hours raises £6,500 and public awareness of Down Syndrome

22 March 2023

A CARRYDUFF man’s marathon charity walk has benefited Down Syndrome charities to the tune of over £6,500.

Twenty-nine year-old Matthew Martin walked for 21 hours non-stop last week from Cushendall on the North Coast to Ormeau Park in Belfast.

He set off at 7pm on St Patrick’s Day along with his brother, Ben, and a friend, David Dunlop. Another friend, Jonathan Bloomer, joined them in Carrickfergus on Saturday morning and for the last hour they were accompanied by a number of supporters, including his wife, Louise, and six month-old son Matthew, who has Down Syndrome.

Matthew organised the walk to mark Down Syndrome Awareness Day, which was yesterday, and to raise much-needed funds for three Down Syndrome charities — Positive About Down Syndrome, Don’t Screen Us Out and Special Delivery NI.

His initial fundraising target of £5,000 was smashed due to the generosity of many people.

Afterwards, a tired but delighted Matthew extended to everyone for their support.

“The main aim of our walk was to raise awareness about Down Syndrome,” he remarked.

“I think we've managed to do this. We have received so much support and raised far more for three wonderful charities than we could have hoped for.

“A massive thank you to all who turned up for the final hour of our walk, everyone who donated and all those who offered moral support and encouragement. A special mention to my brother Ben and also David and Jonathan. It would have been a lonely 21 hours without these men.”

Matthew said his personal journey began during his wife’s pregnancy.

“After learning around the time of my wife’s 12-week scan that Matthew would have Down Syndrome I very quickly became aware that there are so many misconceptions and stereotypes about Down Syndrome,” he explained.

“This is likely one of the main reasons behind the large number of terminations following a diagnosis of Down Syndrome, around 90 per cent in the UK.

“Laws have also recently been changed in Northern Ireland to allow the termination of a baby with Down Syndrome up until birth.

Matthew continued: “I am doing this walk to raise awareness about the true reality of having a child with Down Syndrome and to show that in fact they are one of the greatest gifts you could ever receive.

“My son has changed my life in the most incredible way. At only six months old he has made me a better man and has given me a meaning to life that only my faith can top.

“We want to show that people with Down Syndrome are capable of achieving amazing things and that ultimately they deserve equal value to any other human being.”

Louise also expressed her gratitude to the many people who have supported her and her husband.

“The support we have received has been overwhelming. Matthew is the most incredible husband and father. When he puts his mind to something there's no stopping him,” she said.

“Our son Matthew has brought us more joy in the last six months than we could have ever imagined.

“My hope is that if another family receives a diagnosis of Down Syndrome they know there is a fantastic community and support network out there. The extra chromosome brings a lot of extra love and happiness.”