NSPCC is official charity partner for 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon
Howard Lake | 3 May 2015 | News
The official charity partner for next year’s Virgin Money London Marathon is children’s charity the NSPCC. The charity hopes that its team of runners will raise £2.3 million at the event in April 2016.
Cancer Research UK, this year’s London Marathon official charity, has already raised over £2.4 million from the event.
Hugh Brasher, race director of the London Marathon, commented:
“Every year we seek to partner with an organisation that really changes lives and the NSPCC is an organisation that does exactly that. Hundreds of thousands of children suffer abuse every year in the UK and, in contrast to the loud cheers from the spectators that line the route of the London Marathon, they often suffer in silence.
“I hope over the next year our partnership will enable money to be raised that will directly change the lives of children not only living in the capital but beyond. The event may be just one day itself but with the money it raises, it can change the lives of children for the days to come.”
Youngest runner ran for NSPCC
The youngest runner in last Sunday’s 2015 London Marathon ran for the NSPCC. Jonny Innes, who turned 18 on Race Day, urged others to join Team NSPCC for the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon. He said:
“I’ve been lucky to have a very happy childhood and chose to run for the NSPCC to help those less fortunate than myself. Being part of Team NSPCC has been amazing – I’ve been supported every step of the way with fundraising and training advice and even received a hand-written good luck card ahead of Race Day!”
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First runner for 2016
The first runner to sign up to run in aid of NSPCC for 2016 is Pauline Brennan, a ChildLine counsellor aged 48 from East London.
She said:
“I can’t wait to take on this iconic event as part of the biggest NSPCC team yet! I know from my work with ChildLine just how important it is – it really can be a lifeline for some children. I hope that people will join me and run for Team NSPCC to help make sure we can be there for children when they’re going through the toughest times of their lives.”
NSPCC chief executive, Peter Wanless, said:
“2016 is shaping up to be a huge year for the NSPCC and, in particular, our ChildLine service which will be marking 30 years. It’s fantastic that in this milestone year we’ve been chosen to be the official charity of the Virgin Money London Marathon, and we’re calling on runners across the UK to join Team NSPCC to make it our biggest and best team ever”.
Jane, running for the NSPCC in the Virgin Money London Marathon 2015. Photo: Tom Hull.
Fundraising by Virgin Money staff
Virgin Money staff and customers are expected to raise around £200,000 for NSPCC as a result of the partnership. This will be achieved through a range of events and activities around the UK, including its lounges in Edinburgh, Norwich, Manchester, Glasgow and London.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.