From London to Belfast – Two Marathons; One Week: Matt
With Team MediCinema smashing their times and fundraising targets for us at the iconic 2026 TCS London Marathon, they have earned a well-deserved rest… except that one person is gearing up for their next marathon just seven days after they crossed the finish line.
Matt is a Birmingham-based GP and has fundraised for MediCinema in the past. Now a volunteer at our new cinema at Birmingham Children’s Hospital he sees first-hand the impact that our service has for NHS inpatients. Having achieved his PB on Sunday he is now lacing his running shoes in preparation for the upcoming Belfast Marathon. We caught up with him to find out.
What inspired you to take on two Marathons for MediCinema?
Running for MediCinema is something that genuinely means a great deal to me, both personally and professionally. I’ve always been an avid filmgoer, and I understand first-hand the power of cinema to provide escapism, comfort, and a sense of normality—even if only for a couple of hours. That ability to step outside your situation, however briefly, is incredibly powerful.
As a GP, I also see the other side. I understand how challenging long hospital stays can be, not just for patients but for their families too. The work MediCinema does—bringing the magic of film into hospitals—offers a unique kind of support that goes beyond traditional care. It helps lift spirits, reduce anxiety, and create shared moments of joy during what can often be very difficult times.
I’ve been proud to support MediCinema through fundraising since 2019, and more recently, I’ve taken that involvement a step further by joining the volunteer team at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Seeing the impact of the charity up close has only strengthened my belief in what they do.
That’s why I’m running—to raise funds, awareness, and support for a charity that brings light and escapism to people when they need it most.
How have you been preparing for your races, and what’s been the biggest challenge so far?
Having completed the London Marathon this Sunday, the biggest challenge for me is doing it all again at the Belfast Marathon just seven days later on 3rd May.
It’s not something you can fully prepare for—you have to respect the distance, listen to your body, and dig deep mentally when it matters most. But that’s also what makes the challenge so meaningful. Pushing through that second marathon is about more than just endurance; it’s about resilience, determination, and doing something genuinely tough for a cause I believe in.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about your challenge?
Supporting MediCinema and helping bring moments of escapism and joy to patients and their families is what makes it all worthwhile.
