Personal Trainer Raises £1500 From D Day Challenge for Injured Soldiers

A personal trainer from Haverhill Leisure Centre has raised £1,500 after completing a gruelling 44 mile run to commemorate D Day and raise vital funds for injured British soldiers.

Matt Fitch, a former private in the Parachute Regiment and the current ISKA British Thai Boxing

Champion, completed the D Day 44 Run in eight hours 26 minutes and finished fourth.

The event, held on June 6, in Normandy is held annually to commemorate the 1944 allied invasion of occupied France.

The money raised by Matt will be given to the British Limbless Ex Servicemen’s Association.

Matt, 26, said: “It was a lot harder than I thought. I was running through rape and corn fields, stinging nettles and beach dunes, battling through woods.

“I was winning the race until about 36 miles in when I rolled my ankle. It was extremely painful and I was gutted but I finished in fourth place.  

“There were loads of World War II exhibits on the beach to remind us why we were there. To think what our grandfathers achieved there on that beach was inspiring and with the many pledges of sponsorship from friends, family, gym members and colleagues, there was no way I was going to stop despite being in so much pain. I have to thank all those who donated.”

Matt is still accepting donations for the British Limbless Ex Servicemen’s Association, visit www.justgiving.com/matt-fitch