Running to Stamp Out Spiking

When Matt Willey takes part in the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run on 11 May, it will be his fifth half-marathon of the year, in a challenge that will see him run 12 half-marathons in 12 months to raise awareness and funds for anti-spiking charity, Stamp Out Spiking. All while dressed as a skunk because, as he puts it, “spiking stinks”.

Matt was spurred to take on the challenge after a few of his friends became victims of spiking, which is defined as the covert administration of substances such as drugs or alcohol without someone’s knowledge or consent. While drink spiking is the most common form, other methods include needle and vape spiking.

“I’m not a big drinker and I’m quite introverted so I don’t go out as much as some of my friends, but the stories I hear are so scary,” explains 28 year-old Matt, who lives in Keynsham.
“During my time away at university, one of my friends became really ill from being spiked. She hadn’t been drinking alcohol, but she felt really unwell after coming out of a club and was showing symptoms of spiking.

“I’ve also had friends here in Bristol who’ve been spiked, including a girl who almost got stabbed by a needle while on the dancefloor during a night out celebrating a birthday. Luckily someone saw what was about to happen and stopped it.”

Matt was especially saddened to hear about the experience of a close friend whose drink was spiked, which resulted in her being sexually assaulted.

“She’s such a friendly and outgoing person and it was so upsetting to hear that someone had taken advantage of her in that way. It’s so easy to get angry, but that doesn’t really help anything, so I started talking to Stamp Out Spiking and the idea for my challenge went from there.”

Stamp Out Spiking covers the UK and beyond and its aims are to support victims, raise awareness of the issue to help prevent spiking and to educate organisations through training.

“People should be able to go out and celebrate and just enjoy being young, without having to worry about this awful crime,” adds Matt.

Ready for the challenge

This will be the fourth year Matt has taken part in the half-marathon at the Great Bristol Run, but his skunk costume, together with the goal of running 11 other half marathons during the course of 2025, means he’s been training more than usual.

“I’ve always enjoyed running, but training for this particular challenge has been quite difficult,” says Matt. “I wouldn’t usually need to train as much in the darker, colder months, but as my first half-marathon was in January I didn’t have a choice!”

One of the benefits Matt particularly gets from running is the opportunity to socialise.

“I find running to be a nice social thing for me to do with my friends. It gets me out and helps me both mentally and physically.”

Matt’s challenge will see him take part in half-marathon events around the country and even as far afield as Paris. However, he has a particular fondness for the Great Bristol Run. “The Bristol route is really fun. There are loads of crowds, lots of charity runners and people really get into it. The live music is brilliant too.”

Find out more about this year’s AJ Bell Great Bristol Run and secure your place at the start line here.