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Runner - He/him Matty Long (Ma-tee)

Matty is one of our young Activists running the Great North Run on the 7 of September 2025.

Matty's fundraising journey

Why are you fundraising for YoungMinds?

I struggled with daily anxiety/panic attacks throughout school and felt like there was no escape. I had depression when moving away to University, and a weight-loss journey throughout lockdown. Consequently, I joined the YoungMinds Activist programme to help people through the same situations and fight for Young People’s mental health, as they’re often neglected or lack the confidence/guidance needed to seek help.

I had some great opportunities on the programme, so would like to raise money for a cause I’m passionate about and to give back to the charity.

What will you be doing and when?

I'll be running the Great North Run on 7 September 2025. Here is a link to my page: Matty's Fundraising Page

About Matty

Tell us about yourself

I’m an outgoing and sociable person that had some traumatic times throughout school. I now aspire to help others mentally and physically, studying to be a physiotherapist alongside my volunteering.

I love football, support Carlisle United, and hope to own my own physiotherapy business in the future.

Everyone lives and experiences life in different capacities. Mental illness is an epidemic amongst young people, who need help, that only allows them to live life at a fraction of their potential.

Everyone grows up in different circumstances, and so I want to help people develop an education around mental health, to know that they’re not alone in their experiences, and to start enjoying and thriving in life, rather than just getting by in survival mode. Life is there to be lived and enjoyed at each and every individual moment, not just to get through until the next milestone crops up. People should have as many years of quality health in their life as possible.

What three words describe you best?

  • Ambitious

  • Friendly

  • Persistent

Meet more of our fundraisers

  • Helen Jenkins

    Helen's taking on a challenge swimming the English Channel in July 2025.

  • Sarah Kent

    Sarah organised a wonderful ball in aid of raising awareness for young people's mental health.

  • Fundraisers training take on the challenge of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

    The Dark Trio

    The Dark Trio took the incredible challenge of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

The YoungMinds fundraising team cheering with their hands in the air at the marathon. They are wearing YoungMinds t-shirts and have YoungMinds banners.

Looking for your next challenge?

Whether you want to climb a mountain, hold a car boot sale, run a marathon or organise a quiz night, there are so many ways to raise funds for us.

However you choose to fundraise, our events team will support you the whole way.

Get started with fundraising

What will you be doing and when?

I'll be running the Great North Run on 7 September 2025. Here is a link to my page: Matty's Fundraising Page

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