Walter’s 24-hour challenge

Walter’s 24-hour challenge

29 March 2017

A BALLYNAHINCH businessman is gearing up for an ambitious 24-hour running challenge to raise £5,000 for Cancer Research.

Walter Matthews plans to run 90 miles in 24 hours, starting and finishing in the market town, and is hoping people will support his efforts for what he describes as a “very worthy charity.”

The owner of Backcare Mattresses, based at Lisburn Street, is a keen runner and ahead of his challenge which begins at 9am on June 30 and concludes the following morning, Walter has been clocking up the miles to ready himself.

A keen runner and a member of Lagan Valley Running Club, Walter was motivated to raise money for Cancer Research after his sister Claire was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago.

After leaving Ballynahinch bright and early on June 30, Walter heads for Downpatrick before its over into Strangford to board the ferry for Portaferry to make his way along the coast to Bangor before he begins his return journey to Ballynahinch via Newtownards, Comber and Saintfield.

Charles Hurst Citroen based at Boucher Road in Belfast have donated a support vehicle which will follow Walter’s every step and inside will be his brother Roy and daughter Tanya providing him with essentials and moral support.

“I am looking forward to the challenge as it is helping to raise money for a very special charity,” he explained. “My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago but she has recovered well. Her diagnosis has raised my awareness about the work of Cancer Research and Breast Cancer UK and I am keen to give something back.

“Running 90 miles in 24 hours will be challenging, but it is one I am preparing for. I am currently averaging up to 40 miles each week and will steadily increase that ahead of the big start on June 30. I am doing something for a very worthy cause and have been buoyed by the support I have received to date.”

Walter said his fundraising run is his way of trying to help an important charity which does so much for individuals and 

their families across Northern Ireland.

“The old legs might get a bit tired, but I am preparing as best I can,” he continued. “The important thing is keeping motivated and it will be good to have Roy and Tanya with me. While there are still quite a few weeks to go, I intend to push my weekly running stints up to between 70 and 80 miles so I am as fully prepared as possible.”

Walter is hoping for cool, dry conditions and is hoping he won’t have to endure what he described as a Northern Ireland 

summer day “when it tends to bucket down.”

He added: “I am pleased with the support to date and can’t thank Charles Hurst Citroen enough for lending the support vehicle. Slow and steady will be the order of the day when I set out and while I would like it to be dry, I hope it’s not too warm. 

“At the same time, there is a chance it could be bucketing, but hope this isn’t the case. You never know what to expect from the weather in this country, but I would like it to be dry.”

If anyone would like to donate to Walter’s fundraising effort they are asked to log on to his Just Giving page and follow directions. Donations can also be left at his Lisburn Street base in Ballynahinch.