London Marathon raises record £73.5m for charity

This year’s TCS London Marathon raised a new record £73.5million for charity, according to final figures.

Fundraising had already surpassed £67 million the day after the April 21 event, which saw more than 53,700 people cross the finish line.

This figure broke the previous world record for an annual one-day fundraising event, which stood at £66.4 million set by the London Marathon in 2019.

Joel Dommett after completing the 2024 TCS London Marathon wearing Piranha costume from The Masked SingerJoel Dommett after completing the 2024 TCS London Marathon wearing Piranha costume from The Masked Singer

Joel Dommett ran for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices wearing the Piranha costume from The Masked Singer (John Walton/PA)

Final data has now confirmed that charitable fundraising for the 2024 event has reached £73.5 million, bringing the cumulative total raised since the first London Marathon in 1981 to more than £1.3 billion of pounds sterling.

Hugh Brasher, Managing Director of London Marathon Events, said: “The TCS London Marathon is an extraordinary day and a wonderful celebration of humanity, where tens of thousands of people take on an incredible challenge and do good for others.

“We salute every participant who contributed to this world record total of £73.5 million for the thousands of charities who provide essential services to so many people. »

Enthuse, the official online fundraising partner of the TCS London Marathon, has seen a record £30 million raised on its platform, an increase of 60% on 2023.

Natalie Pinkham shows off her medal after running the TCS London Marathon for the SamaritansNatalie Pinkham shows off her medal after running the TCS London Marathon for the Samaritans

Natalie Pinkham ran for the Samaritans in memory of her friend Caroline Flack who took her own life in 2020 (John Walton/PA)

Chester Mojay-Sinclare, founder and chief executive of Enthuse, said: “Charities play a crucial role in the UK and this exceptional fundraising total reflects people’s gratitude for them. »

The Samaritans were the charity of the year in 2024.

Sonya Trivedy, executive director of external engagement at Samaritans, said it was a “historic moment” for the charity.

She added: “Our partnership with the world’s most iconic marathon has provided us with a unique opportunity to reach millions of people with a message of hope: Believe in Tomorrow.

Ruth Wilson with her 2024 TCS London Marathon medal after running for Alzheimer's Research UKRuth Wilson with her 2024 TCS London Marathon medal after running for Alzheimer's Research UK

Ruth Wilson raised money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, the charity which supported her family after her father’s dementia diagnosis (John Walton/PA)

“We are very grateful to all our 2024 London Marathon runners and partners who have so far helped us raise over £1.1 million, four times the amount we would normally raise each year through the Marathon from London.

“We estimate that over the next three years the Charity Partnership of the Year will generate a total of £2.8 million.”

Emma Pound, challenge events program manager for Macmillan, said the London Marathon represents a significant portion of its fundraising income to support people living with cancer and the charity has raised more than £2.1 million from the 2024 event.

More than 840,000 people applied in the ballot for a place in the 2025 TCS London Marathon which takes place on April 27, a new record of the 578,304 applicants for 2024.

– Final fundraising data for 2024 was collated by collaborate+ and The Information Lab, with information provided by Enthuse, Cancer Research UK, Crowdfunder, Facebook, GoFundMe, givestar, GiveWheel, GivenGain, Give as you Live, Givey, Funraisin, Instagram, JustGiving, Social Sync and Wonderful.

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