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Thousands to honour Masterchef contestant who died during London Marathon

Thousands of runners have pledged to complete the final stages of the London Marathon in honour o...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.41 24 Apr 2018


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Thousands to honour Masterchef...

Thousands to honour Masterchef contestant who died during London Marathon

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.41 24 Apr 2018


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Thousands of runners have pledged to complete the final stages of the London Marathon in honour of Masterchef UK contestant Matt Campbell, who died during the race.

The 29-year-old collapsed at the 22.5 mile (36.2km) mark of the event on Sunday.

He received medical treatment from race doctors but died later in hospital.

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More than 2,000 people have signed up to a Facebook event called "Finish for Matt."

It urges runners "in London, Somerset, Manchester; where ever you are" to complete "a 3.7m (6km) run on Strava on Saturday, and give a £5 'entry fee' to Matt's justgiving page."

It adds: "I think that'd be a nice gesture from us as a group."

Strava is a website and mobile app that tracks athletic activity.

According to Mr Campbell's fundraising page, he had surpassed his target of raising £2,500 for youth charity The Brathay Trust - in honour of his late father - by competing in the marathon.

However, come Tuesday, donations had passed the £100,000 mark.

On the site, Mr Campbell wrote that his late father Martin had worked "tirelessly" for charity, describing him as "the most inspirational man in my life."

A spokesman for the Brathay Trust said: "We're not a huge charity and this is a significant sum to us, so firstly, a huge thank you to everyone who has donated - this is just amazing.

"It is incredibly important to us that we can use this money in a way that maximises the number of young people we work with.

“We will be giving very careful thought as to how exactly to do this with Matt's family to ensure that your generous support provides a fitting and lasting legacy."

Matt Dorber, who has pledged to take part in the ‘Finish for Matt’ event, wrote on Facebook: "This has been mainly set up as part of the London Marathon training group.

"Four thousand of us have given each other advice and support over the last few months, and a small gesture of solidarity would be to 'finish' the run for Matt."

According to a biography on his website, Mr Campbell began his career working in Michelin-starred kitchens after finishing second on BBC Young Chef of the Year at the age of 20 in 2009.

Following his successful stint on MasterChef: The Professionals in 2017, he embarked on a UK roadshow this year - with dates in London, Manchester, Bristol and Leeds.

Reporting from IRN ...


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