Family of PC Matthew Blades heads to Kielder to complete his charity running challenge

The family of a police officer who died in the line of duty has vowed to complete his charity running challenge in Northumberland in October. PC Matthew Blades was killed in August, alongside his colleague PC Tom Clough, after a collision on the A66. Matthew was a keen runner and had been tackling a year of races to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK, which was due to conclude at the Altra Kielder Marathon weekend on 3 and 4 October. Now his uncle Reuben Dowding will run the Kielder Half marathon and complete the challenge in Matthew’s memory.

In January, Matthew Blades started his year of fundraising for Parkinson’s UK by running 10 kilometers every day for a month. This laid the foundations for a year of running in support of the charity, after his mother-in-law had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2025. Matthew secured places at a series of events during the year, including the Middlesbrough Half Marathon, Sunderland City Half Marathon, Great North Run and Kielder Marathon. After his death in August, organisers of the Great North Run allowed his best friend to run in his place, and now his uncle Reuben Dowding will take his place at Kielder. Reuben, 62, has had minimal time to prepare, but will take on the Kielder Half Marathon on Sunday 4 October, in honour of both Matthew and Tom Clough. Members of the family will also travel to Kielder fo cheer him on, including Matthew’s sister.

Reuben comments: “Since we lost Matthew, our family has been overwhelmed by the support of people across the whole of the North East, and the running community has been a huge part of that. Matthew loved running and he was so motivated by the challenge that he was taking on to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK. So we are determined to complete that in his memory, and to honour Tom too.

“I have to admit that I am nervous about taking on the Kielder Half Marathon. A few weeks to train for a half marathon is a big challenge in its own right, but I definitely have the spirit and determination. I will be wearing Matthew’s number and that will keep me motivated every step of the way.”

Founded in 2010, the Altra Kielder Marathon is known as ‘Britain’s most beautiful’ and follows a route around Kielder Water, taking in much of the Lakeside Way. Over the years, the event has grown into a two-day festival of running that also includes a half marathon, 10K, gravel duathlon (run-bike-run) and junior runs. It is organised by Events of the North, in partnership with Northumbrian Water, Forestry England, Northumberland County Council, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and official charity partner 4 Louis.

To make a donation to Matthew Blades’ fundraising for Parkinson’s UK visit https://events.parkinsons.org.uk/fundraisers/matthewblades

For more information about the Altra Kielder Marathon events, visit www.kieldermarathon.com