A man from Oxfordshire will be pulling a car for two marathons to beat three world records and raise money for an eating disorder charity.

Matt Cooper, from Banbury, is in intensive training to achieve the fastest ever marathon pulling a car, complete the first ever double marathon, and the longest distance ever to pull a car.

The challenge will start in the early hours of Thursday, September 7, at The Home Guard Club, Tiddington, in Warwickshire where he will complete over 200 laps of the cycling track while pulling the Hook Norton butcher’s van.

READ MORE: Planning permission given for listed building extension and swimming pool

The trailblazing tow-man is taking on the feat to help raise money for Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity.

Mr Cooper has taken on many challenges over the years, including triathlons and cycling 950 miles in 2018, and getting from John O’Groats to Lands End on an old exercise bike during the pandemic.

He said: “I have friends and family that have had eating disorders and I’ve also suffered with body dysmorphia in the past.

“Eating disorders aren’t spoken about very often, but the reality is that if people spoke about them more, it would help everyone feel more comfortable seeking help.

“It's something that I'm very passionate about and I'd like to be able to help in my own way. I’m over the moon to have raised over £1,000 so far.

“After taking on various challenges over the last few years, I was keen to try something new, which is when I got the idea for a double marathon car pull.

“My family and girlfriend are taking turns to steer the van over the three-day challenge, and there will also be a barbecue on the Saturday to help cheer me on.”

Emily Weal, community fundraising officer at Beat said: “We’ve never seen anything quite like it. “We are so incredibly grateful to Matt for taking on this enormous challenge to help people with eating disorders.

"1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, and the funds raised will help us to direct people to the support that they deserve, as well as helping family and friends to support their loved ones.

“We’re so excited to see Matt pass the finish line and hope he gets the chance for a well-needed rest once it’s over.”

On his Just Giving page Mr Cooper said: “Beat is charity very close to me and with your donations, the lives of many can be changed.”

You can donate towards Mr Cooper’s cause on his Just Giving page, by searching: Matt Cooper is fundraising for Beat (justgiving.com)

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1