Matthew Paynter is running the London Marathon 💧🏃🏽‍♂️💂🏼

As a serving officer in the British Army and currently, the Adjutant of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, I’m incredibly proud to be part of a regiment with 375 years of history, service, and sacrifice. The Coldstream Guards Charity provides vital support to all ranks, past and present, along with their families. Helping injured soldiers rebuild their lives, supporting widows and children, and ensuring those who have given so much are never forgotten. This cause is deeply personal to me, and in this milestone year for the regiment, there is no better time to give back.

Alongside my military service, I’ve also had the privilege of spending time in Kenya, a country that has left a lasting impression on me. I fell in love with its landscapes and people, but I also saw firsthand the daily struggle many communities face due to a lack of clean water. Wellboring, a charity dedicated to providing sustainable water solutions, is changing that one well at a time. Clean water is life-changing, giving children the chance to go to school instead of walking miles for water and helping entire communities thrive.

That is why I’m running the London Marathon this April to raise money for both of these incredible causes. The Coldstream Guards have always stood by their own, just as Wellboring is transforming lives in Kenya. By supporting my marathon effort, you’ll be helping to fund projects that make a real, lasting difference. Whether it’s providing clean water or supporting those who serve, every step I take is for something bigger than myself. And let’s be honest at 110kg, I’m not exactly built for long-distance running, so if I’m putting myself through 26.2 miles, you know it must be for a good cause! 💧🏃🏽‍♂️💂🏼