'Things like this save lives' - Leeds fans double charity target with 40-mile walk from Old Trafford to Elland Road

Matthew Foster has revealed the emotional story behind a 40 mile charity walk from Old Trafford to Elland Road that raised £6,760

Leeds United fans have raised more than double their £3,000 target after completing a gruelling 40-mile charity walk.

Matthew Foster, 39, a data and fibre engineer from Leeds, led the challenge with his wife Elizabeth and friends from his YouTube channel 'Imagine Not Being Leeds'.

The group walked from Old Trafford to Elland Road on Saturday, September 26, setting off at 6am and eventually arriving at Billy Bremner’s statue at around 11pm.

Their incredible effort has now raised £6,760 for Andy's Man Club and Leeds Autism Services, two causes which are particularly close to Matty’s heart.

Matty, who runs the popular Leeds United fan channel, said he was still in shock at how much the group had managed to raise.

The walk brought together members of the Imagine Not Being Leeds community, including people who had first connected through Matty’s videos and had since become friends.

Matty said: “I’m absolutely over the moon with how much we’ve raised, I’m still in shock to be honest. The walk was really tough but super fun. "The group is what makes the day, having good people to walk side by side with makes it a lot easier. Sharing stories and experiences and the reasons why people were doing it is so special."

He said the toughest part came around Huddersfield when the finish felt close but there was still a long way to go in reality.

He added: "You feel close but you’ve still got a long way to go in reality. We were also trying to keep the group together as the difference in the fittest person walking and the not so fittest is quite vast, but we did it.”

Matty admitted the original £3,000 fundraising target was something he had simply plucked out of thin air, hoping the profile of his channel would help the group reach it.

Both charities have a deeply personal connection to Matty, who has spoken openly about his own mental health struggles and his experiences as the father of an autistic child.

Matty said: “The fact we’ve more than doubled it is truly special and made all the pain, which I’m still in by the way, more than worth it. Hopefully it will help many.”

“I’ve never personally used either Andy's Man Club or Leeds Autism Services, but I know people that have. Four years ago I had a breakdown and didn’t want to be alive anymore because of something I went through as a child.

“By chance, a stranger talked me round from a situation and I went home and spoke to my wife about my problems. So I know first hand how big talking and opening up can be.”

Matty is also passionate about raising awareness of autism through his son Jonah, who has now moved to a specialist school which can better support his needs.

He added: “I also have a big interest in wanting to help spread awareness about autism as my son Jonah is autistic. We have daily struggles as a family but luckily we get by OK. "I know a lot of families out there are struggling and need help. It felt right to do half of the money raised to two amazing charities that I admire very much.”

One of the moments which will stay with Matty came during a conversation with fellow walker Shaun Wilkinson, who opened up about the loss of his baby son, Theo 11 years ago.

Matty said: “He opened up about it all and it broke my heart. Jonah’s brother also being called Theo, it just really got to me. The strength he showed and courage to talk and try to help others from slipping into darkness after similar events was truly inspiring, that chat will stay with me.”

After almost 17 hours on their feet, the group finally reached Elland Road, where the final moments of the walk became understandably emotional.

Matty continued: “Obviously finishing the walk, getting to Elland Road, our church, was unreal. The final walk down Elland Road with our friends that were our support cars playing Marching On Together as we walked was just class. We couldn’t have done the walk without their help.”

The huge fundraising total has left Matty feeling incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the challenge, whether through donations, messages or simply following the group’s progress.

Asked what he would say to anyone who donated or showed support Matty said: “I just want to say thanks from the bottom of my heart.

“As someone that struggles with mental health and has had some of the darkest days, plus the daily struggles I see of my son Jonah, I know how much some people need help.

“The donations and kindness shown by many is just amazing. I can’t thank everyone enough for their messages of support as well as the donations. Things like this save lives and I’m so proud.”

What started as a hobby has grown into a community which has helped Matty through his own struggles, while giving him a platform to talk about Leeds United and mental health.

He continued: “For someone that didn’t want to live anymore to starting a YouTube channel as a hobby, to having it grow by supporting Leeds and talking about mental health, it has helped me grow, improve as a man and make so many new friends. It’s been amazing.”

Matty now hopes the Old Trafford to Elland Road challenge can become an annual event through 'Imagine Not Being Leeds', bringing people together once again for causes which reach far beyond football.

The group’s fundraising total currently stands at £6,760, more than twice their original £3,000 target. You can support Matty and the Imagine Not Being Leeds fundraising campaign, here.

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