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For some, running the London Marathon is a deeply personal journey in honour of loved ones who will forever remain in their hearts.
For Adam Close and his family, the London Marathon provides a special opportunity to celebrate Adam’s much-loved brother-in-law Matthew Hart, who loved his rugby and in particular Bromley RFC.
In previous years Matthew’s family and friends; Emily, Victoria, Chris, Luke and Sam have all run for the IPF in Matthew’s name.
This weekend, Adam will take on the marathon to pay his own tribute to Matthew and to continue his legacy.
He says, “For the fifth year running, we are coming together to fundraise in memory of Matthew. While this marks our fifth year of support, it’s a "first" for me, taking on the London Marathon.
“We are once again proud to support the RFU Injured Players Foundation. It’s a cause that honours Matthew’s lifelong passion for rugby by providing vital, life-changing support to members of the rugby community.
“Every donation, no matter the size, helps keep Matthew’s memory alive and supports the game he loved so much.
“The rugby community and our local community have again been phenomenal in coming together to do just that. We raised over £4,500 at our charity golf day at Westerham Golf Club a week or so ago.
“On behalf of Matthew’s family, I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us again and who has shown how much Matthew means to so many people.”
For many IPF fundraisers, the marathon is a way of supporting members of the wider rugby family who have been unlucky enough to experience life-altering accidents playing the game they love.
Alastair Brace, who played many years for Kilburn Rugby Club before moving to South-West London and joining Teddington RFC, says,
“Rugby has been such an important part of my life for so many years.
“I personally haven’t known anyone who has sustained a life-changing injury during the 20 odd years I’ve played the sport, but I've heard of someone who has.
“A freak accident on the pitch changed his life for ever, and that’s where the work of the RFU Injured Players Foundation has been so important to him and others.
“To see what that IPF support means for an individual, for their family and their community is so special and I’m really happy to be able to represent the cause. As a rugby player, there’s no more perfect a charity I could run for.”
This will be Alastair’s second marathon, having completed the Rome Marathon last year. The views on Sunday are likely to be slightly different!
“It was quite surreal in Rome,” he explains, “because when you run past the Vatican, all the priests come out to watch!
“We won’t expect the same reception on Sunday, but there are so many beautiful landmarks to look forward to, like Horse Guards Parade and the Mall. I’ve heard it’s the crowd and atmosphere that really makes London stand out.
“My brother’s run it and said you can barely hear yourself or your music in the final seven kilometres with people cheering and banging drums. I can’t wait to experience that.”
Alastair has plenty of family and friends coming down to support, including rugby teammates. Those who can’t be there in person have been sending voice notes to cheer him on when the course gets tough.
“It’s actually been surprisingly good fun putting the voice notes together in a playlist,” Alastair says.
“When I get to kilometre 30, I can bang it on and have that motivation to get through the last bit. Just hearing those voices, knowing I have their support will be really nice.
“People have been really kind in donating too. Obviously, it’s very tough to raise money in a difficult time, but the second you open up about the Injured Players Foundation, everyone from rugby a background just pours in straight away. That community aspect has really carried it, and that's been so nice.”
Every year the charity is blown away by the generosity of its fundraisers and their supporters. When finances are stretched more thinly than ever in the current climate, that kindness and compassion for members of the wider family is felt more keenly than ever. A huge thank you on behalf of everyone at the IPF.
