Hundreds gather in London alongside Jamie Park and Tom Peters in support of former MasterChef: The Professionals contestant Matt Campbell as his Just Giving page hits £300k.
Matt's death shocked the industry when it was announced on Monday, April 23 2018 after he collapsed while running the London marathon.
Yesterday, supporters finished the 3.7 miles he was unable to do in tribute to the chef and to raise funds for his Just Giving page which has now passed £300k for his chosen charity Brathay Trust.
Tom Peters wanted to thank everyone who has ran in Matt's memory and he told The Staff Canteen: "We're really grateful for all of the support, it is truly inspiring to see so many people going out of their way to do this, many of them hadn't even met Matt so it's fantastic. Plus there were lots of industry people there as well, all of Jamie's kitchen team turned up and most of mine which was great."
On Matt's page hitting £300k he added: "It's incredible, all the donations from people running their miles this weekend has really contributed massively to it."
Tom explained that Matt's friends from Kendal are hoping to set up a Matt Campbell Scholarship in his memory and he's hoping to run the London Marathon again next year for Brathay Trust and to mark the anniversary.
"Losing Matt shocked the running community and the catering industry, it's a massive loss to both. We now just want to raise awareness and continue the work he was doing with his father's charity - that's all we can do."
There were a number of messages of support from the hospitality industry, many ran in Matt's memory even though they couldn't be at the event.
Matt, who had only recently joined The Staff Canteen as a chef blogger, was raising money in memory of his dad Martin Campbell who died suddenly in 2016.
The chef had written several inspirational and innovative blogs for The Staff Canteen as well as showcasing his cooking style on our Instagram - as a team we will miss supporting such a talented and passionate young man.
Matt’s aim was to raise £2,500 for the charity but support for the chef following his tragic death has seen his target smashed.
The hospitality industry took to social media as news of his death was announced to express their disbelief and condolences for his friends and family.
Matt was running with Tom when he collapsed after passing the 22.5 mile mark. On his instagram at the time Tom said: "Matt, feel so blessed to of shared so much with you in a short amount of time, words can’t describe how we’re all feeling at this time. You were an inspiration to so many in so many different ways, the world has lost a star and we’ve all lost a brother! RIP. "
Earlier this month he completed the Manchester Marathon in less than three hours. A statement from the London Marathon read: "With deep sadness, we confirm the death of a participant in the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon. Matt Campbell, aged 29, a professional chef from the Lake District, collapsed at the 22.5 mile mark and, although he received immediate medical treatment on the scene from race doctors, he died later in hospital. Matt was a well-known chef who featured in MasterChef: The Professionals last year, inspiring viewers with his Nutritional Gastronomy movement and forward-thinking ideas."
