Help Matt Fundraise for Spinal Research

Matt Smith has spent the past five summers calling Tresco home, working as part of the kitchen teams at The New Inn and The Ruin. 

Last winter, however, life changed in an instant when a serious snowboarding accident left him with a broken back and shattered leg.

After multiple operations, months of rehabilitation and a great deal of determination, Matt is now back on Tresco and setting himself an extraordinary new challenge: running the 2027 London Marathon in support of Spinal Research.

To help him on his way, we’re gathering at The New Inn on Saturday 22nd August for a fundraising Pub Quiz and raffle, with some fantastic prizes up for grabs. We're also spreading the word in an effort to help him raise as much money as possible for this wonderful cause.

In Matt's own words...

"For the past five summers, I’ve been lucky enough to call these beautiful islands home, working across the kitchen teams at The New Inn and The Ruin.

“Back in December, a serious snowboarding accident left me with a broken back and a shattered leg. After two weeks in hospital and several operations to stabilise my vertebrae and repair my tibia, I was repatriated to the UK.

“I know how fortunate I am. We’ll never really know how close I came to paralysis or a spinal cord injury.

“After many months of intense physio and rehabilitation, I’m well on my way to making a full recovery – and I couldn’t be more grateful to be back on Tresco, doing the job I love and enjoying another summer on the islands.

“In April 2027, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon for Spinal Research. Going from learning to walk properly again to training for a marathon is quite a journey, but I’m determined to raise as much as I possibly can for this incredible charity.

“Any donation, big or small, really will mean the world to me.”

So if you are on Tresco please come along to Matt's fundraising night and if you are a little further afield, please donate to his JustGiving page. Let's get Matt a little closer to that London Marathon finish line...