9th July 2026: Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, has today announced that it raised over £2.3 million as the 2026 TCS London Marathon’s Official Charity of the Year – surpassing its 2025 fundraising total of £450,000.
The grand total exceeds the charity’s 2026 fundraising goal to raise £2 million – driven by the 744 people who ran for Marie Curie, and the generosity of supporters.
Marie Curie provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends via its hospices, hospital, GP, and community services and its free national Support Line (0800 090 2309). The £2.3 million raised is the equivalent of 100,000 hours of nursing care or enough to fund the Support Line for over six years.
Matthew Reed, Chief Executive at Marie Curie, said: “It was a huge honour for Marie Curie to be Charity of the Year for the 2026 TCS London Marathon and we’re so grateful to all our runners and supporters for helping us raise this remarkable sum of money.
“Every three minutes, someone dies without proper support, that’s nearly 200,000 people each year. The funds raised will make a significant difference. It will help us ensure that more people at end of life and those close to them, receive the vital care and support they need at the right time, wherever they are. This will help bring us closer to achieving our mission of better end of life for all.”
Marie Curie delivered memorable moments as the official Charity of the Year in the lead up to the 2026 TCS London Marathon, to engage supporters, raise awareness and generate funds. Highlights include hosting a series of Grief Run Clubs in collaboration with running community Run Your Mind, and unveiling ‘The Daffodil Runner’ at Tower Bridge – an art piece featuring 557 steel daffodils to represent the number of people that die each day in the UK without the end of life care that they need.
On the event day, a dedicated group of Marie Curie nurses and healthcare assistants named the ‘To The End Team’ walked the 26.2-mile course of the TCS London Marathon route. With every step, they helped to raise awareness of the incredible care Marie Curie provides to people at end of life and be a visual symbol of the charity’s pledge to be ‘With You to the End’. Over 300 volunteers showed up to support Team Marie Curie across six cheer stations along the London Marathon route.
Ballroom dancer and TV personality AJ Pritchard, who ran the 2026 TCS London Marathon for Marie Curie, said: “I was so proud to support Marie Curie’s vital work by running in this year’s TCS London Marathon. Being part of Team Marie Curie was a physically challenging but an incredible experience. I hope the fundraising efforts of all the runners ensure more people receive the care and comfort they deserve at end of life.”
The National Autistic Society has been announced as the official charity partner for next year’s TCS London Marathon, which will be expanded into a two-day event for one year only, taking place on 24 and 25 April 2027.
Marie Curie is encouraging people to apply for a 2027 Double TCS London Marathon charity place to help bring expert end of life care to more people. For more information on how to join Team Marie Curie visit: mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/charity-events/running/london-marathon.
—————-
About Marie Curie
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity.
The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we’re with you to the end.
If you’re living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.
Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.
About the TCS London Marathon
The 2027 TCS London Marathon will take place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027.
- The London Marathon was first held on 29 March 1981 and the millionth finisher in the history of the event crossed the line in 2016.
- Since the first London Marathon in 1981, the event has raised more than £1.3 billion for charity.
- London Marathon Events passes its surplus each year through corporate Gift Aid its parent charity, the London Marathon Foundation (the operating name of The London Marathon Charitable Trust, a registered charity (283813) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales (01550741), registered office: 190 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YB).
- Since 1981, the London Marathon Foundation has awarded £120 million to more than 1,800 projects that inspire activity in London and across the UK.
- For more information, visit tcslondonmarathon.com
Leave a Reply