On Sunday morning, as thousands gather on the start line of the London Marathon, one runner will carry far more than the weight of 26.2 miles.

For Matt West, a 32-year-old sergeant with Nottinghamshire Police, this will be his first marathon. But more importantly, it will be one run in memory of his younger brother, Tom.

Tom was 24 when he died, having been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis - a progressive genetic condition that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system - as a baby.

For Tom, life was never simple. It quickly became increasingly shaped by hospital visits, long journeys and fighting an illness that so many people still don’t fully understand. 

Matt West

Yet, Matt says Tom always ‘did things his way’.

“He was stubborn,” Matt recalled, adding: “Cystic Fibrosis is often described as an invisible disease, with its impact not always immediately visible from the outside. 

“But for Tom, it was severe. Everyday tasks, things most people take for granted, could leave him exhausted. Just walking into town took it out of him. You wouldn’t necessarily know by looking at him, but he went through a lot.”

Heart transplant

At times, there were moments of hope, Matt explained, with Tom being considered for a double lung and heart transplant - a chance, potentially, to extend his life. 

Despite working hard to get stronger and make progress, Tom was hit by another infection.

“His body was already under immense strain, that infection was one too many,” said father-of-one Matt.

Matt's brother, Tom

By 2019, the family knew what lay ahead. 

“Tom’s body wouldn’t have accepted the transplant or been fit enough to survive it,” explained Matt.

The COVID-19 pandemic only made things more complicated, and from then on, it became about managing time and making the most of what remained.

Still, Tom carried on in his own way, says Matt, rarely showing how much he struggled.

“I remember the day Tom died clearly. I was at work, on a day shift. It was just about 7am and I was getting ready to brief the team.

Grief

“Then dad called me and told me Tom had died.

“At that moment, everything stops. Even though we knew, you always think you have more time.”

In the hours that followed, Matt made the decision to see his brother. It’s one he’s grateful for: “He looked like he had just gone to sleep. In some ways, that brought comfort.”

Now, Matt is turning grief into purpose.

The London Marathon will be his first. He’s not chasing a time or a personal best - just the finish line. Training has been a challenge, squeezed around shift work and family life. 

Cystic Fibrosis

But what drives him isn’t performance, it’s the meaning behind him running. He is running for Tom, and for Cystic Fibrosis Trust - a national charity that supports people living with Cystic Fibrosis, along with their families. 

“It’s about the reason and the cause,” he said. “Raising money for a good charity. This money will help with research and support. A lot of people don’t know about it.”

As race day approaches, anticipation is building. His fiancée, his dad, and his brother will be there to support him. 

But above everything else, one thought keeps him going.

“I’m doing this for Tom,” Matt said. “Even when I’m training, and I’m struggling, I think to myself if he can push on through everything he went through, I can run 26 miles in his memory.”

This year’s London Marathon takes place on Sunday (26 April). Donate to Matt now by visiting his fundraising page.