In September, our fundraiser Matthew will be running the 100km Surf Coast Century Ultra Marathon, running along the magnificent scenery in the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. He told us all about his motivation for this huge challenge, what it takes to train for an ultra-marathon and his advice for others wanting to fundraise to make a difference.

Tell us all about your 100km challenge! Is this the first time you will run an Ultra Marathon?

This will be the first time I have run an ultra marathon (100km). After doing a few marathons and long distance runs I set a personal goal to complete an ultra marathon.

What is your training like for this run?

Hard! Balancing work and a family (including a 2 and 3 year old) with a training regime has been super hard. Finding the time to go on practice runs that can go up to 6 hours was very difficult and often meant running super early in the morning or into the late night. Running in the bush in the dead of night isn’t just a bit spooky but very cold! Also practicing what food, I can keep down whilst running has been both interesting and at times messy.

What drives your commitment to fundraise for Parkinson’s?

Knowing that I am raising money for a great charity that can make a difference to so many Australians, as well as their families and friends. Finding out my uncle was diagnosed with Parkinsonism really shook me and my family into learning about Parkinson’s.

My connection with my uncle and running was always something I treasured, with me getting into running and working/training hard for events to bet the times he had set with my dad when I was young. This is something that has always spurred me on when training and event day. And now understanding the impacts of Parkinsonism and watching my uncle battle this disease has inspired me to do all that I can to support research.

Why did you choose to raise funds for Shake It Up Australia?

In having some discussions with other members of my family, friends and work mates I was amazed at how almost everybody I spoke to about my fundraising has a story to share about a relative, friend, neighbour, or somebody that they were close to having suffered from Parkinson’s.

What is your advice for others hoping to make a difference for Parkinson’s?

Don’t be afraid to have a discussion and commit to doing something small, big or anything to help support bringing about a world without Parkinson’s.

I found even just talking about it and sharing experiences has led to not just people supporting my fundraising but doing their own research to understand symptoms, connecting sufferers together for support and talking about making their own commitments to positive change on behalf of or directly with a loved one who has Parkinson’s.

You can support Matthew’s fundraising here, or sign up to an athletic event in your State to raise funds for Parkinson’s research.