Teenage Cancer Trust is 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon charity partner
Howard Lake | 26 April 2017 | News
Teenage Cancer Trust has been named as the charity partner for the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2018.
The theme of the partnership will be ‘Be a Legend‘, under which the charity aims to mobilise a team of ‘legendary’ supports to run for the charity in the marathon, or indeed volunteer on the day.
The charity aims to raise £1.5m from the event for young people with cancer across the UK. Currently, for every young person aged 13-24 Teenage Cancer Trust supports, there’s another they can’t. As a result, it aims to support every young person with cancer by 2020.
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Russell Brand film
Comedian and long-time Teenage Cancer Trust supporter, Russell Brand, is the face of the launch film. True to form, he uses it to satirise the way we think about charity in the social media age. With tongue firmly in cheek, Brand encourages people to take part in the marathon for purely selfish reasons, so they can “look good whilst doing good”.
Kate Collins, Director of Fundraising and Marketing, at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be launching our important partnership with Virgin Money London Marathon 2018 with a film that has a cheeky tone but a serious message.
“Huge thanks to Chris, a young man who is currently going through treatment for cancer, and our long-term supporter Russell Brand for teaming up to make the film.”
Jo Barnett, Director of Social Enterprise at Virgin Money, said: “Virgin Money is proud to partner with this amazing charity and help them take one step closer to their goal of reaching every young person with cancer who needs them.”
Previous charity partners
Previous Virgin Money London Marathon charity partners have included:
2017: Heads Together
2016: NSPCC
2015: Cancer Research UK
2014: Anthony Nolan
2013: YouthNet; Age UK
2012: Team PB the Prostate Cancer Charity Breast Cancer Care
2011: Oxfam
2010: CLIC Sargent
2009: The Children’s Trust
2008: Heart UK; Spinal Injuries Association
2007: WellChild
2006: The Stroke Association; Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust
2005: Help the Hospices
2004: Sense; British Heart Foundation
2003: Shelter
2002: Outward Bound; FCWL
2001: MS Society
2000: Mencap
The London Marathon has had a charity partner since 1984.
Creative behind the campaign
James Robertson, brand and design manager, and Jessie Donnelly, digital engagement executive, at Teenage Cancer Trust explained in January 2019 how they helped develop the creative behind the Be a Legend campaign. The presentation was shared at a CharityComms event.
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.