A County Durham man has finished a gruelling 800 mile run checking in at every Premier League football stadium to help save lives from suicide.
Matthew Smith has run on average more than 30 miles a day since leaving AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium on the south coast 26 days ago.
Finishing at St James’ Park, the home of his beloved Newcastle United this afternoon (Friday, August 30), the 30-year-old founder of Chester-le-Street based suicide prevention charity If U Care Share raised more than £35,000.
Matthew lost brother Dan in 2005 when he took his own life aged 19. His family then set up the charity in a bid to prevent further suicides and supporting families who have lost loved ones.
Speaking to The Northern Echo in the shadows of St James’ after finishing the epic run he said: “I’m on pure adrenaline at the minute.
“It has been an unbelievable experience and I’m very grateful for the fact I’m able to do this, to remember people that we’ve lost.”
He finished next to the Sir Bobby Robson statue outside St James’ Park before heading inside for a photo and finally celebrating with a pint.
A crowd of family, friends and campaigners including North East Mayor Kim McGuinness gathered to welcome him.
He completed the run wearing a shirt bearing the names of more than 200 people lost to suicide and called in at every Premier League stadium.
“It has always been important for me and for people affected by suicide to remember their loved ones, keeping the loved ones’ names alive,” he said.
“So I’ve got more than 200 individuals on my shirt that have been lost to suicide. They are people from all walks of life, all ages, all different stories who unfortunately aren’t here any longer and we want to be able to make sure that others don’t get to the point where they make that decision.”
He planned to raise more £135k, a number based on research that each suicide affects roughly 135 people.
“It’s a cliché phrase but the money is lifesaving.
“What we are doing on a day to day basis is saving lives. With current financial challenges that becomes even more difficult.
“Unfortunately, nationally we haven’t seen the renewal of local suicide prevention funding so that has impacted us as an organisation, but also we have the highest suicide rates currently since the late 90s. It’s affecting more people now and the North East consistently has some of the highest rates so now more than ever it’s really important.”
Arriving at St James’ on transfer deadline day he said he hoped he wouldn’t be the stadium’s only arrival after a summer of few signings for Newcastle United fans.
“I was thinking I hope I’m not the only arrival that’s turning up at Newcastle United today,” he said.
“I can play but the legs are heavy right now so they might need to give me a few weeks before I can get going.
“I don’t think I’m the arrival that would get everybody excited.”
Asked about Matthew at a press conference on Friday morning Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “That’s an incredible feat, that sounds like a lot of running and a lot of physical preparation needed.
“The cause, most importantly, is absolutely vital. It’s something I really am passionate about supporting because I you see, with a lot of young men in particular, really high rates of suicide and it’s something that we’d love to change and I’d certainly be vocal in supporting that.”
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness added: “When I saw this invitation to come and talk to you at the end of Matthew’s challenge of 800 miles in 26 days I’d be looking at a depleted man but look at him, apparently he’s ready to go again.
“Some of us will be training for the Great North Run at the minute. I got out of bed and ran 18km on Monday and felt pretty sorry for myself so Matthew’s put me well and truly in my place.
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“The message of If U Care Share about suicide prevention is one I really hope everybody who’s seen you on the route, in the press, is watching you today arrive are listening to that message about suicide prevention and the impact that those losses have on families, friends and communities.
“I’m very proud that this is a North East charity, but at the same time very sad that actually it’s apt that it’s a North East charity because we run at the top of the pile for the number of people, particularly young men, that we lost to suicide – that’s something that we must fight.”
Anyone wishing to donate can do so online via the If U Care Share TotalGiving page.
If you are in need of support you can contact the following:
- Samaritans is available, day or night, 365 days of the year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
- If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258
- SANE on 07984 967 708, Calm on 0800 58 58 58
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