This April, we’re proud to be supporting Matt as he takes on the London Marathon for CMV Action. Matt is running in memory of his son Noah, and his motivation comes from a deeply personal place. Like many families, Matt and his wife Jess had little awareness of congenital CMV before it affected their lives, and their experience has driven a strong determination to help ensure other parents have the information, awareness and support they need.
In this interview, Matt shares his family’s story, how cCMV has impacted their lives, and why raising awareness of CMV is so important. He also talks about why he chose the London Marathon as his challenge, the response to his fundraising so far, and what supporting CMV Action means to him as he honours Noah and works to help protect future families.
Can you share how CMV has personally affected you and your family?
cCMV has had a profound and life-changing impact on our family. On New Year’s Day 2024, Jess and I gave birth to our baby boy, Noah, at just 27 weeks pregnant. He had been severely affected by congenital CMV, which caused complications so significant that he had no chance of the healthy, happy life we had imagined for him. We had to say goodbye far too soon. That experience has shaped everything since, and it’s the reason I’m committed to raising awareness of CMV and the work that CMV Action do.
What inspired you to get involved with CMV Action?
I chose to get involved with CMV Action because of our son Noah. Before my wife and I went through this experience, we had barely heard of CMV, let alone understood how serious it can be for unborn babies. After losing Noah, it became incredibly important to me to ensure that other families have the awareness, information, and support that we did not know we needed. CMV Action are doing vital work, and getting involved felt like a meaningful way to honour Noah and help prevent others from facing the same heartbreak.
Why do you believe CMV Action’s work is so important?
CMV Action’s work is important because too few people know about CMV, despite it being a common virus and potentially serious during pregnancy. Better awareness could save lives and prevent lifelong disabilities. CMV Action not only supports families affected by the virus but also pushes for better testing, treatment, and research, things that could make a real difference for future parents and babies. Their work gives hope, guidance, and community to people who desperately need it. We still to this day remember the conversations my wife and I had with CMV Action, these had a profound effect on us which carried us through some difficult times.
What I’ve learned is that even in the hardest moments, there are ways to create something positive.
Why did you choose to take on the London Marathon to raise funds and awareness?
I chose the London Marathon because it has always been on my bucket list. It’s the pinnacle of UK marathons and one of the most iconic in the world, so it felt like the perfect platform to raise as much awareness as possible for CMV Action. There’s no better way to get the charity’s name in front of thousands of people than by running through the streets of London proudly wearing CMV Action on my vest. Training for and running 26 miles is physically and mentally tough but having such a personal connection to the cause will help me get through. Taking on something challenging gives me a real sense of purpose and it’s a powerful way to start conversations, raise awareness and honour Noah in a way that feels active, visible, and meaningful.
Have there been any standout moments or challenges during your fundraising journey?
The most memorable moments are how people have responded when I’ve shared our story. It’s not an easy thing to talk about, and often others aren’t sure what the right words are, but the kindness and generosity I’ve received has been overwhelming. A standout moment was when my work Federation made an incredibly generous donation and even sent a personal message. I’m hugely grateful to everyone at the British Transport Police Federation for their support, thank you. The biggest challenge so far has been balancing marathon training with normal home life. My wife is still convinced I’m using the long runs as an excuse to avoid chores and to be fair, she might be onto something!
Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your journey?
What I’ve learned is that even in the hardest moments, there are ways to create something positive. Running the marathon, sharing Noah’s story, and supporting CMV Action has helped both my wife and I find meaning in our loss. If raising awareness helps even one family get the information they need, or prevents one more baby from being affected, then every conversation and every donation is worth it. When I tell people about CMV and hear them say “I’ve never heard of CMV” I feel like I’ve done what I set out to achieve.