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Jersey firefighter finishes 150k run for charity

Chris Craddock
Communities Journalist, Jersey
BBC Matt gets to the finish line which has been held up by two fire engines as a crowd cheers him on and his black dog is by his side after the run.BBC
Friends, family members and fellow firefighters cheered Matt over the finish line

A Jersey firefighter completed his challenge to run 150km (93.21 miles) around the island for charity.

Matt Roberts has raised more than £5,000 for the Firefighters Charity and Friends of Jersey Oncology (FOJO).

He started the run from St Helier at 16:00 BST on Saturday and finished 23 hours later at 15:00 on Sunday.

Mr Roberts was joined by friends and colleagues for the vast majority of the run to help him complete his challenge.

Matt sips from a can of Guinness as he sits on a stone bench. He's wearing a dull green running top and dark shorts and has a grey cap on. Behind him is a stone wall with the sea in the distance behind it.
Matt managed to enjoy a drink as he recovered from the run

Fire crews, friends and family members gathered at the finish line which was made by tying a line between two fire engines.

Mr Roberts said it was "actually really enjoyable" and "out of 23 hours of solid running, I was on my own for less than 10 minutes".

He added: "I genuinely didn't think I'd raise over £1,000 so £5,000 is incredible."

Mr Roberts celebrated his finish with a can of Guinness and some takeaway food which his friends had bought him.

Both men look at the camera as they stand by the fire engines. In the photo of Paul he is wearing a grey jumper and has sunglasses on his forehead. Steven has a dull green coat on and a cap of a similar colour.
Paul McGrath (left) and Steven Andrews were both at the finish for Matt Roberts

Paul McGrath and Steven Andrews are both from Jersey Fire and Rescue Service and joined Mr Roberts on different parts of his run.

Mr McGrath said "this is just amazing" and "I just wanted to be there to support him".

Mr Andrews added "Matt is a very dedicated guy" and "it's tiring enough doing just doing a little bit of it".

Paul looks at the camera as people sit on a stone bench behind him. He is wearing a black puffer jacket and a pink polo shirt under it.
Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown said the service is proud of Matt's achievement

Jersey's Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown also cheered on Mr Roberts as he finished.

He said: "It was really inspiring.

"I think it says something about Matt first and foremost, he is quite remarkable individual to have done this in this way for those charities.

"Hopefully he will recover well because he certainly deserves to have some down time now," Mr Brown added.

FOJO called Mr Roberts an "amazing person" for completing the "phenomenal challenge".

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