Devon & Cornwall officer wins Compassionate Award after raising thousands for cancer charities
PC Matthew Jeffery is aiming to complete the world’s six major marathons while living with cancer.
A police officer who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for cancer charities while living the disease himself has won the Compassionate Award at the 2025 Devon & Cornwall Police Federation Recognition Awards.
PC Matthew Jeffery, who works in response policing in Plymouth, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in July 2021, just three months into his police training. Despite undergoing radiotherapy and receiving the all-clear that December, the cancer returned in late 2023. Thankfully, it is at a low level and is being monitored through regular blood tests.
A keen runner, PC Jeffery has turned his experience into a personal mission, setting out to complete the prestigious six major world marathons – London, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago, New York, and Boston – while fundraising for cancer research and treatment.
So far, he has completed five marathons, including running the London Marathon three years in a row, and has raised an impressive £34,500 for charities such as Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Reflecting on his journey, PC Jeffery said: “London Marathon was always my dream, because I used to watch it on TV – that was special. And I’ll never forget New York. When I got halfway, I looked to my left and saw the Empire State Building, it was just huge.”
He added: “When I got diagnosed, I just thought: I need to get something positive from this. It was obviously a massive thing that I went through, but when times get tough you’ve got to look for the positives.”
Despite his achievements, PC Jeffery admitted he was shocked to learn he had been nominated for the award: “I’m sometimes hard on myself and think I need to be doing better and better things, but receiving this award means the world.”
Devon & Cornwall Police Federation Chair Katie Clements praised his determination and impact, saying:
“Matthew is not only compassionate, he’s also incredibly inspirational as we can see.
“It’s amazing that Matthew ran his first marathon less than a year after his cancer diagnosis and that he’s just kept going, raising a huge amount of money for such worthy causes. I know he’s worked many hours fundraising behind the scenes too.”
PC Jeffery will attend the 2025 Devon & Cornwall Police Federation Recognition Awards on Thursday 6th November.