Restaurant staff across the city of Manchester ran 3.7 miles in memory of a former Master Chef contestant who collapsed and died during the London Marathon last Sunday.
Manchester’s hospitality staff have completed the distance after Matt Campbell collapsed at the 22.5-mile mark in Sunday’s race – 3.7 miles from the end.
The professional chef, who was an established runner, had completed the Manchester Marathon in just under three hours earlier last month.
Sophia Moss, 24, who works at the Northern Quarter branch of Solita, said: “We’d seen people doing it since the Marathon ended and we just wanted to do something that represented Manchester’s food and drink industry and the heart it has.
“I think that’s been shown by the donations and the people who wanted to get involved in our small part of it.”
The miles that the Solita team ran started outside Rudy’s Pizza in Ancoats, taking the route of the Ashton Canal to the Etihad stadium and back again.
Brad Turner, 23, Bar Supervisor at Northern Quarter’s Cane and Grain, said: “I found out about it on Twitter and I just thought firstly, what a lovely idea this was and secondly what an inspiration Matt was.
“The 3.7 miles seemed like nothing and the least I could do for someone who seemed a lovely, genuine guy.”
Hoss, of the food blog Hungry Hoss, who completed the run, said: “He followed me on twitter and it’s humbling to think that he was in some way aware of my life.
“So it seemed all I could do is honour his in some small way.”
Sophia and Brad, were two of hundreds of runners from across the country who have completed the final miles in his memory, flooding social media with images from their efforts with the hashtag #FinishForMatt.
Among those who completed the run were London Marathon staff members.
The Marathon’s official page tweeted earlier last week: “With the blessing of his family, we are calling on our followers to #FinishforMatt, and run 3.7 miles this week in memory of Matt Campbell.”
Today, staff at London Marathon Events ran 3.7 miles to #FinishForMatt….#LondonMarathon #SpiritofLondon pic.twitter.com/tLQmw7UnHh
— London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) April 26, 2018
The 29-year-old, was running for the charity, Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who died suddenly in the summer of 2016.
The children’s charity, Brathay Trust aims to improve the life chances of children, young people and families.
The Brathay Trust praised Mr Campbell earlier last week as a “unique inspiration, a positive person whose enthusiasm and love of life touched so many.”
“Matt and his family have been tireless in supporting the work of Brathay Trust and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time,” it said in a statement.
Thousands of well-wishers have donated to Mr Campbell’s JustGiving page since the news of his death was announced, bringing the total raised to more than £300,000.
For more information or to donate to Matt’s JustGiving page click this link.
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