Matt's halfway through charity challenge

The 19-year-old, who lives in Lydiard Millicent, is doing his charity challenge for The St James’s Place Foundation which helps children and young people with disabilities and illnesses. When Matt, who works for St James’s Place Wealth Management, in Cirencester, finishes he will have ran 2,000km.

Given that Rome is around 2,000km away from his employer’s base the runner intends to do his final leg in the Italian city on New Year’s Eve.

Matt said: “I’m really pleased to have got over the halfway line and my times are coming down. Originally, I was doing the runs in about 28 minutes but now they’re down to about 23 minutes which is great. It shows my fitness is improving but the runs aren’t getting any easier on my muscles.

“It has got a little harder recently with the warmer weather but I went to Crete a few weeks back and that has prepared me for how the conditions have been back here - a little bit. I’m still really enjoying it and I’m thankful for the generous donations I’ve received.”

Matt, who lives with his parents Louise and Karl and his brother Luke, 17, has raised £3,600 of his £5,000 goal and is confident the target will be reached by the end of the year.

Matt does his runs in the morning, in the gym or at lunchtime. Originally, the runner did 5.64km legs everyday but in recent weeks that distance has increased to between 5.8k and 6km.

Later this year, he will be competiting in the Swindon Half Marathon and the Great South Run to push his total distance covered even higher.

Next year, Matt wants to continue his fundraising for St James’s Place Foundation by running marathons.

Matt said: “It is an excellent cause which does so much to improve young people’s lives and I’m happy to carry on doing my bit for them. I’m looking forward to finishing this challenge and going to Rome to do it is going to be something very special.” To sponsor Matt visit www.justgiving.com/matt-cordas-365days.