Young Cantabrian Completes North 2 South Challenge

Young Cantabrian Completes North 2 South Challenge with Over $23,000 for Charity

Thirty five days and 31 marathons later, inspiring young Cantabrian Mathew Broad has crossed the finish line of his North 2 South Charity Challenge raising money for St John.

Twenty-three year old Mathew started his run in Cape Reinga on 31 March and finished 2,298 kilometres later in Bluff this afternoon. Continuing the legacy left by his late Grandad Russell Hodges, and the work he did as an Officer and Regional Chairman of St John, Mathew has raised an impressive $23,000 for the charity.

His efforts have also seen him help raise the profile of St John and the vital and extensive services it provides to communities all over New Zealand. “Like my Grandad I’m passionate about St John and feel a tremendous sense of self-achievement having completed this challenge. He’d be really proud.”

Mathew is now looking forward to putting his feet up and enjoying a cold beer.

“As you can imagine it’s thirsty work running the length of the New Zealand,” he laughs. “But seriously, I’m overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I’ve been shown each and every day on the road.”

Mathew wishes to thank his corporate sponsors and the generosity of friends, family and supporters within the communities he passed. “We live in such a beautiful country, with such generous communities and individuals. There’s no way I would’ve been able to complete this journey without the country behind me.”

The money raised will be used to used to support the charitable work of St John including the ambulance service, community initiatives such as free transport to medical appointments for those who need it and the friendship telephone service Caring Caller.
Sponsors of Matthew’s challenge included SUBWAY® restaurants, Asics, One Square Meal, Choice Hotels, Directions Advertising, Feet n Motion, Anytime Fitness, GIB, Placemakers, Resene, United Industries, Webfreak, James Hardies, Gen-I, RTFM and Linton Contracting and Matthew’s employer Stonewood Homes where he works as a draftsman. Stonewood Homes provided a support vehicle for the duration of his challenge and continued to pay Matthew throughout his run, with his wages going back into the event.

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