Huge congratulations to Kevin Matthews who took part in the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge  on the 3rd May - completing the 106km (65mile) course in an impressive 20hrs (and 1 minute) and crossing the finish line in 210th place overall !

Kevin is no stranger to fundraising, having successfully completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in June last year, and a 2x2x24 challenge for his students at the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester in 2023. This brilliant fundraising event saw 17 young army and air cadets run 2 miles, every 2 hours for 24 hours, and earned Kevin our 2023 Smile4Rich Fundraiser of the Year Award.

Kevin chose to support Smile4Wessex after a colleague underwent two emergency operations at the Wessex Neurological Centre to remove a brain tumour in May 2022.

Kevin joined over 2000 participants, to tackle the challenging and undulating terrain of the Isle of Wight .... Starting in Chale, he travelled in a clockwise direction, taking in the spectacular southern cliffs, past the iconic Needles in time for lunch, through Yarmouth and up to historic Cowes (marking the half-way point). Choosing the continuous challenge, Kevin pushed on to Ryde and Bembridge, before passing through the beachside towns of Sandown and Shanklin, ahead of tackling the unforgiving hills of Ventnor. Walking through the night before arriving back in Chale and the finish line, to complete his epic 106km journey.

As the name suggests, this is a tough challenge, so an incredible achievement, and we are truly grateful to Kev for choosing to support Smile4Wessex.

There is still time to support Kevin by donating on his page HERE: