Willen Hospice opens charity place applications for London Marathon 2024

Willen Hospice are encouraging local people to apply for a charity place to run in the London Marathon 2024.

A charity place is a guaranteed spot in the London Marathon, in return for a minimum fundraising ask of £2,500. This gives local people the chance to run in the one of the world’s most iconic events, while raising money for a charity that benefits people in their community.

This year, Willen Hospice saw a record number of 27 people run the London Marathon, raising an incredible £50,000 and counting for the charity. Families, friends and teams from Willen Hospice travelled to London to cheer on this year’s runners from the side-lines. Amongst the runners was the charity’s CEO, Peta Wilkinson, Willen at Home Lead Nurse, Amy Malburn and Andy Aldridge, grandson of the late Lesley Jell, who founded Willen Hospice alongside his wife Dorothy Jell, and local GP, Marjorie Reid.

There was also mother and daughter duo, Caroline Beechey and Laura Beechey running in memory of Major James Beechey, who was cared for by Willen Hospice last year. The two wore blue Willen Hospice t-shirts decorated with ribbons. Each ribbon had a name written on them as part of their ‘memory mile’ fundraising initiative, where people sponsored them in return for having a mile dedicated to a loved one.

Dawn Clark, Willen Hospice Charity Fundraiser, said “It was amazing to see 27 people running the London Marathon for Willen Hospice yesterday. Each and every one of them showed such determination, resilience and enthusiasm and we can’t thank them enough. It was an incredible atmosphere and I would encourage anyone thinking about doing the London Marathon to apply for one of our charity places and enter the ballot.”

Willen Hospice have 10 charity places available for the 2024 London Marathon. Successful applicants will be asked to raise £2,500, and those successful in the ballot can set their own fundraising target. All charity place applicants must enter the ballot as well. Visit www.willen-hospice.org.uk/running to find out more.