Matt marks 80th event at Sheffield 10K after defying life-changing brain injury

In 2012, Matt suffered a traumatic brain injury following an accident at work, which left him with a bleed on the brain.

He underwent a five-hour operation, with doctors warning that his prognosis was poor and his chances of survival were low. Remarkably, Matt defied the odds. After surviving the surgery, he faced a long and challenging road to recovery, having to relearn how to walk, talk and carry out everyday tasks that many take for granted.

It took Matt a year to walk again, followed by another year before he was able to run.

Matt credits his dad as one of the driving forces behind his recovery. He remembers his father joking while he was in hospital: "I can't believe you're 28 and I'm 54, and you're in a Zimmer frame before me." The comment gave Matt the motivation he needed to keep pushing forward.

In 2014, Matt took part in his first fundraising events in a sports wheelchair, raising money for his wheelchair basketball team. Just a year later, he completed his first running event, marking another significant milestone in his recovery.

Since then, Matt has become a familiar face at events across the country. Having completed 79 events since 2014, the upcoming Sheffield 10K will be his landmark 80th event.

Matt hopes his story can inspire others facing adversity.

He said: "I do these events to motivate and encourage people that, no matter what happens in life or what life-changing injuries they may face, with the right support around them, they can achieve anything."