52-year-old Matthew Lee from Stockport has embarked upon an incredible challenge of swimming the equivalent of the length of the English Channel to raise money for The Christie Charity in memory of his late wife Rachel.
This swimming challenge will see Matthew swim 200 lengths breaststroke in a 25-metre pool at Nuffield Health Gym in Parrs Wood, East Didsbury. It takes him around three hours to complete on a daily basisover seven days and will be the most difficult challenge of Matthew’s life due to his disabilities.
Matthew was born in 1973, four weeks early and weighing just 4lb, with cerebral palsy and as a result, he had a deformity in his knee and hips. Throughout his life, he has undergone various operations to increase his mobility, but still walks with a limp.
From a very early age Matthew was told he would never be able to walk, and a succession of operations followed. At just four years old he was in plaster from his upper chest to his feet leaving him immobile. The only parts of his body not in plaster were his head, arms and feet.
Matthew’s creative dad made a modified skateboard which Matthew could lie on and get around. Almost miraculously Matthew was able to walk albeit with a very pronounced limp as due to the complex surgery his left leg is two inches shorter than his right.
Matthew then permanently dislocated his elbow during a car journey and ended up suffering with seizures following a road accident in 1987.
In 2000 Matthew had major surgery known as medial displacement pelvic osteotomy. This left him on crutches for 12 weeks and recovering for a further 6 months. In 2006 Matthew had a full hip replacement.
In 2017 Matthew experienced overnight sight loss and had visual impairment lasting around three months. His doctor diagnosed this as the result of stress, warning that further stress could result in a stroke or heart attack. Following his doctor’s advice Matthew ended in career in lottery fundraising, during which he helped to raise millions of pounds for charity and started his own business.
Matthew was formerly the Lottery Manager atStockport County FC where he is an avid fan and currently helps the club on match days by organising the half time draw which brings tens of thousands of pounds into the club each season.
Despite his personal difficulties and physical disabilities Matthew completed a half marathon and raised over £8,000 for The Christie Charity in memory of his late wife Rachel.
Matthew is being supported by the management and staff at Nuffield Health Gym in Parrs Wood for his fundraising challenge, where he is a member.
Matthew says. “Any support would mean the world to myself and my family. By attempting this I hope it gives people and families hope that what seems impossible can be achieved. Never stop believing!”
Alicia Gaffey, mass participation events co-ordinatorfrom The Christie Charity, said: “Matthew’s incredible determination to take on such a physically demanding challenge in memory of his wife Rachel is truly inspiring. His efforts will not only honour Rachel’s memory but also help support vital research, giving hope to other families affected by this devastating disease. We are so grateful for Matthew’s support and wish him every success in completing his swim.”
