Beastly challenges are no big obstacle for superhero city dad

Matthew Wicks is being supported in his challenge by his wife and three children

Matthew Wicks, 36, has started training for all three of the Beast Races across Scotland while raising funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

Spurred on by his family and colleagues at plumbing, heating and bathroom supplier William Wilson he has set himself this epic muddy, messy, icy and extreme adventure challenge.

The Banchory and Loch Ness Beast Races are 10k obstacle challenges that take participants through dense forests, muddy bogs and icy lochs while tackling more than 30 obstacles along the way.

The new Loch Ore Beast is the longest and toughest of the races with a gruelling 12km route through the muddy depths of Fife’s wilderness.

Unfortunately, in order to keep people safe during the coronavirus outbreak, the charity has had to postpone the Loch Ore Beast for the time being.

Matthew said: “I haven’t done anything like this since 2014 so it’s been a few years since I’ve set myself such a gruelling task. All my colleagues are really supporting me across all our offices and are motivating me and cheering me on to complete all three of the Beasts this year for charity.

“I see the work that Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland does in my local community and further afield which is why I’ve decided to do my bit by putting myself through this pain to help others.

“So many lives are devasted by chest, heart and stroke conditions and so many people need the charity’s support so I’m doing what I can to raise money.

“I’m organising some local fundraising events ahead of my challenge to hopefully smash my targets for all three races.”

Allison Rennie, fundraising and events manager at Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland said: “We are in awe and thrilled that Matthew is putting himself through this heroic challenge to raise funds.

“The fact that he is willing to push himself through the muddy depths of all three Beast Races to help people living with chest heart and stroke conditions is amazing.”

Allison added: “We have had to postpone several events, including the Loch Ore Beast, in order to keep our participants, volunteers and staff as safe as possible. By doing this, we hope to relieve pressure on the emergency services and reduce the risk of exposure for everyone, especially those who are at high risk from the coronavirus.

“We need your help now more than ever to ensure that we can provide people with chest, heart and stroke conditions, vital support during this difficult time.

“With an increasing volume of calls, our advice line is under serious pressure – and they will continue to become more and more in demand as the virus takes hold.”