A County Durham man who lost his brother to suicide and is running to every Premier League football ground in England has this week reached his 15th stadium.
Matthew Smith, who is attempting to do the run in the span of a month, still has five grounds to visit and more than 200 miles to go.
After leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux on Wednesday (August 21), he will have Manchester City, Manchester United, Everton and Liverpool remaining before the Newcastle United fan reaches his final destination, St James’s Park on Friday, August 30.
Matthew, 30, is running in memory of his brother Daniel O’Hare who was 19 when he unexpectedly took his own life nearly 20 years ago.
His family set up the If U Care Share Foundation, based in Chester-le-Street, which supports families impacted by suicide and delivers suicide prevention and mental health workshops in football academies and schools.
But with funding to the charity cut, Matthew is aiming to raise £135,000 after the loss of government funding for suicide prevention services.
And he admits he will feel he has failed if he doesn’t reach his £135,000 target.
The money will enable the charity to continue to deliver support and services throughout the country, particularly in the North East, which still has the highest suicide rate in the UK.
So far the run has raised more than £25,000 - with promises to come to fruition from several organisations and businesses.
Matthew said: “It is a lot of money and I have set a ridiculous amount to hit.
“But we have still raised an amazing amount of money so far in a relatively short space of time and the awareness it has raised has been brilliant. You can’t put a figure on that."
Matthew and his family set up the charity in 2006, initially selling wristbands before matches at Sunderland and Newcastle’s grounds.
Today it is one of the leading providers of mental health and suicide prevention workshops in the country.
The amateur footballer has delayed the start of his season with Durham FC Corinthians to complete the run and says the time on the road has given him time to think about his brother.
Matthew added: “I think about him all the time - where I’m going, what I’m doing, the stuff we’ve done, the places it’s taken me and my family.
“And he would have loved this and would be along for the whole journey - he wouldn’t be running, mind - but he’d love being part of it, visiting the grounds and just enjoying being part of football.
“I’m doing this for my brother. And also to show that, 19 years after losing him, there is still hope and you can still find happiness.
“People don’t like to talk about suicide, because the perception is the subject matter is always negative and it was such a horrendous situation, but actually there’s still life and hope and he still has an influence and a presence for good."
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Two years ago Matthew ran from the charity’s offices to Downing Street to deliver a letter to former Premier Minister Boris Johnson, urging the government to include suicide prevention in their Levelling Up white paper.
He said: “There have been stages where it’s been hard.
“But it is worthwhile and very enjoyable when you compare it to some of the stuff we’ve had to deal with since Daniel passed.
“It does cross your mind - what if I break my leg, what if I tear my hamstring. But I’m not bothered. If I have to crawl to St James’ Park, or hobble in on crutches, I will get there.”
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