A North Yorkshire runner has set up a series of fundraising events in tribute to his mum, who died from cancer just two days before Christmas.
Matt Burke, from Northallerton, is aiming to organise a 12-hour fitness challenge next month, while also looking to run all six major world marathons in the future.
Mr Burke, who co-owns the Oddfellows pub in the town, is looking to get 150 people to take part in an event on April 11 at Northallerton Sports Village from 11am until 11pm, which will hopefully see people take it in turns to walk, jog and run for a collective 12 hours.
The event will see people travel as far as they can to have someone cover every minute of the 12-hour challenge.
And Matt is asking people to donate what they can to the fundraising page to take part.
"People can run as many laps as they can, but we'll look at having someone moving on the track at every part of those 12 hours," he said.
Matt, who began running during the Covid-19 pandemic, is raising money for the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) after his mum, Alison Burke, died on December 23, 2024.
And it's his mum, who volunteered at the Northalletton Food Share, that he credits with being his inspiration.
"My mum supported me in everything I did," Matt added.
"She always turned up to races and always liked to hear about my running events.
"As an only child, she was my world, my biggest cheerleader, my race-day supporter, the person always waiting at the finish line with the proudest smile. Losing her has left an unfilled space in my life.
"She loved to travel; she would take my daughter Olivia with her on cruises, and she was someone who got on with everyone she met.
"If she wasn't travelling, she was going to live music, like Robbie Williams and Take That.
"Her funeral was well attended, which showed the sort of person she was.
"Each step I take is a tribute to her strength and love. I also want to raise as much money as possible to help fight the cruel cancer that took her from us far too soon. She battled once before and fought through but we weren't as lucky the second time around."
And it's this popularity and love for his mum, which Matt hopes will filter down to the event.
Already, he has got some support from running clubs around the area for his event on April 11, including Bedale and Aiskew Running Club, who have said that some of their members will take part.
So far, Matt has already completed numerous running events.
In 2025, he set himself a goal of doing 900 miles, ten races and ten medals, but exceedied that by clocking up 920 miles, 12 races and 12 medals.
This year, he is now pushing himself further to do more than 1,000 miles, ten races, ten medals and two marathons, after getting places for the London Marathon and New York Marathon later this year.
And in 2027, he aims to step it up again to 1,100 miles while continuing the same race and marathon goals.
"I’ve committed the next few years to pushing myself both physically and mentally by completing as many World Major Marathons as I can, starting with the London Marathon at the end of April," Matt said.
"I’ve never run a marathon before, but this feels like the right place to begin.
"I feel like it's now or never to run a marathon."
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Through his fundraising page, Matt has set himself a target of raising £2,500, calling it "all for a worthy cause".
As part of the fundraising challenge on April 11, Matt has thanked Tony Murray from the Royal British Veterans, who is kindly running a gazebo during the 12-hour challenge to help runners and walkers have a base for charity bucket collections and refreshments.
If anyone wants to take part, message Matt on 07568 173439 to take part.
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