Matt Jones is running his first TCS London Marathon for Dementia UK in memory of his grandparents, Norman and Edna, who were diagnosed in the later years of their life.
"Running for Dementia UK is not just about Marathon Day," Matt says. "It’s about honouring the memory of my grandparents and turning pain into a positive force for change."
"It’s about giving back to an organisation that tirelessly works to improve the lives of those affected by dementia. It’s about standing with countless families who are currently facing the challenges of this condition and showing them they are not alone."
Dementia is a syndrome associated with a progressive decline in brain function. There are different types of dementia, and it can affect your memory, speech, behaviour and emotions. One in 11 people over the age of 65 have dementia in the UK (NHS), so Matt hopes his fundraising will help other families out there. He saw firsthand how selfless caring for a loved one can be as his mother became a primary carer.
Matt started running six years ago and is a regular at his home city’s half marathon, the Manchester Half Marathon. Now that he lives in London, he wants to up the distance and take on his first marathon. He is aiming for a sub-four-hour finish, with his family, friends, and Tooting Run Club cheering him on come Marathon Day.
Matt’s fundraising started as soon as he heard he’d been offered a charity place and he has already fundraised more than £4,000. Here are his top three fundraising tips.
1. Personalise your approach
It can be tempting to use a WhatsApp broadcast list and share your fundraising page with hundreds of people in one hit, but Matt found that drawing up a targeted list was far more effective. Your cause is close to your heart, but it will resonate with those around you, too.
"A lot of my friends have been impacted by dementia," Matt says. "So it was more personal for them in terms of why I was running and I knew they would be able to relate."
He then picked a handful of people to contact every payday. Timing is everything. Matt said he always waited until payday to share his page. He also said not to be afraid of asking or sending gentle nudges if someone has said they are up for donating.
2. Acknowledge the little moments
Undertaking a marathon and fundraising for it is a big challenge. Your 'why' will keep you going through the toughest of training runs, and another tactic Matt has found useful is appreciating the little moments.
Matt says even during the darkest moments of his grandparents' conditions, he said it was essential to latch onto those little moments.
"When it comes to dementia, it might be that an individual has remembered something from 60 years ago, or they might have remembered to put the dishes away. It could be as simple as that, but there will always be a positive moment every day."
Even during the late stages of Norman’s condition, the one thing Matt’s grandpa always remembered was Matt would buy anything that was designed with black and white spots. This led Matt to go on the hunt for bunting, crockery, and anything with black and white spots so that his grandpa knew he was always there for him.
For his nanna, Edna, it was her love of Manchester City. She was a season ticket holder but couldn’t go in the late stages of her condition. Instead, she would call Matt every Monday to update him on the player ratings from the most recent match.
3. Don’t be afraid to aim high
Matt’s initial target was £2,500, and his employer, OakNorth Bank, gave him £500 to get him going.
An easy win is to ask your employer if they offer match funding, where they match the money you raise pound-for-pound, or if they might be able to donate a fixed amount to your cause. Even if your employer doesn’t offer match funding, you could host a fundraising event at your workplace.
Spurred on by the generosity of his family and friends, Matt increased his target so that his fundraising could go a long way.
"I thought, if people see I’m only a tenner away from hitting my target, they will think someone else will donate. I hope it goes some way to making those last few days, weeks, and months a bit easier for other families out there."
