NI teacher raises £50k in 3 weeks in marathon campaign after cancer diagnosis (2025)

A South Belfast man has raised tens of thousands of pounds in a matter of weeks following a devastating cancer diagnosis.

Matthew Starkey was diagnosed with stage four cancer earlier this year after a large tumour was found through his spinal cord, which cannot be fully removed due to its location. He has been told that the cancer is likely to be incurable and is no longer able to walk unaided.

Despite this, Matthew is determined to have a positive outlook on life and hopes that he can defy the odds that are against him while looking for ways that he can help others.

Read more: Belfast man with stage 4 cancer diagnosis aiming to be 'fast and tumorous' with marathon fundraiser

Read more: 'Our son was diagnosed with cancer age 5 - now we want to give back'

The St Colman's High School, Ballynahinch teacher was an avid gym goer prior to his diagnosis and is still determined to keep his fitness up in the coming months and has set himself the goal of taking on the Belfast Half Marathon later this year in a wheelchair.

The school has actually helped to raise nearly £2,000 so that Matthew is able to purchase a wheelchair that would allow him to train and take part in the marathon.

At the beginning of April, Matthew launched two fundraisers ahead of him taking part in the half marathon, one for the Friends of the Cancer Centre and another that will help him and his fiancée make adaptations to their home.

In just three weeks, he has raised over £50,000, with Matthew saying that he has been blown away by the response and is very grateful to everyone who has supported him so far.

Speaking to Belfast Live, Matthew said: "This week I will finish my last few rounds of chemo and radiotherapy and then I can really start to focus on my training for the half marathon.

"The support that I have had so far has been incredible and I can't quite believe that so many people have donated in just a few weeks.

"I am very grateful to everyone who has donated to my personal fundraiser, as this will be vital to help me make adaptations to my house in the coming weeks because I am now at a point where I can't walk unaided and I have no balance on my own whatsoever.

"But now in the build up to the half marathon I am aiming to raise as much as I can for the Friends of the Cancer Centre so they can continue their work helping people going through treatment.

"People have been very generous to me in the past few weeks and I hope they can do the same for this great charity and we can raise even more money for them."

If you would like to follow Matthew's journey you can do so via his Instagram page.

If you would like to donate to his fundraising appeal for the Friends of the Cancer Centre you can do so via this link.

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