A big-hearted soldier from Salford is gearing up to run a gruelling 30-mile ultra-marathon in support of a local mental health charity.
Matty Calderwood, who serves in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, will run the Porth i Gymru ultra marathon around the Welsh town of Abergavenny on 4 July.
The 22-year-old is determined to complete the challenge to raise funds for Jak’s World, an Ordsall-based suicide prevention charity founded by parents Ronak and Kasia Halani after their son Jakub died by suicide in 2023.
Matty was friends with Jakub and was left “heartbroken” by his death.
The 22-year-old said he had always planned to raise funds for the charity but was unable to display its logo while competing as an Army boxer.
“Since the charity started, I have always told myself I would do something to raise funds for it because it is such an amazing cause,” Matty explained.
The well-conditioned athlete is relishing the prospect of taking on the spectacular scenic route through the Brecon Beacons mountain range in South Wales, despite the 5,000 ft elevation gain.
“Last year I took on an ultra on two days’ notice and smashed it,” he highlighted. “That one was very flat, and this time around I wanted to do something much harder. If it was easy, then what would be the point of doing it?”
Matty, who grew up on Seedley Park Road, said he was a troublemaker before joining the army and described the transformative effect military service has had on his life.
“Being in the army has given me discipline and made me a man of my word,” he said.
“If I say I am going to do something, I am going to do it. Your mental resilience improves in the army, and it builds you as a person. He added: “If I could make this ultra marathon longer, I would tomorrow.”
Ahead of the demanding endurance challenge, Matty has already raised more than £1,000 for the charity. Jak’s World runs regular community meetups across Salford, including park runs and relaxed craft sessions designed to help people meet others and boost their wellbeing.
The cash raised by the fleet-footed soldier will allow the group to continue their hard work helping people who are struggling with their mental health.
Matty said he has been blown away by the “amazing” support his fundraiser has received from the “brilliant Salford community.”
The keen gym-goer, who is also a qualified physical trainer, hopes his efforts will inspire others to be the best they can be.
“My advice would be to take that one day at a time and look at how you can improve by 1 per cent every day,” he explained.
“Try to build yourself and tell yourself you can do it. That approach will improve your mental health. Everyone needs a purpose, so if you have a goal, chase it.”
Matty will chase his goal of completing the gruelling ultra-marathon for Jak’s World on 4 July. More information about his fundraiser is available here.
