A firefighter is swapping his uniform for running gear in a heartfelt marathon challenge.
Matt Smith, station manager from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, will take on the London Marathon on April 26 in memory of his mother, who died from cancer on Christmas Eve.
The 26.2‑mile run will raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
Mr Smith said: “I was 12 years old when my mum was first diagnosed with breast cancer. From that moment on, the world shifted for us as a family and for everyone who loved her.
“Over the years my mum faced cancer on three separate occasions, and each time she fought it with everything she had.
“Unfortunately, in May 2025 we received the devastating news that the cancer had returned and spread.
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“Seven months later mum died at home on Christmas Eve, her favourite day of the year.”
The marathon will take him past some of London’s most famous landmarks, but it’s the personal journey behind each mile that matters most.
Donations can be made at fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/matts-giving-page-190753.
Mr Smith said: “Like tens of thousands of families affected by cancer each year, this is now part of our story – and it’s why I’ll be taking part in the 2026 London Marathon to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
“If you’re able to donate, no matter how big or small, it would mean the world.
“Every contribution helps fund research that brings us closer to better treatments and better outcomes for families affected by cancer.