Ahead of the iconic event, we share what it means to us to be the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year, and what we have planned for marathon day.
We’re aiming to break the stigma around suicide and mental health by encouraging people to believe in tomorrow at this year’s London Marathon.
We all struggle to cope sometimes, and one in five of us will have suicidal thoughts at some point in our lives. We plan to use our platform as Charity of the Year for the 2024 London Marathon to spread our message of hope. Suicide can be prevented, and we can all play a part. We believe in tomorrow, and together we can save lives.
The opportunity to be Charity of the Year will help us to raise awareness of our services, and also raise much-needed funds. The financial climate is tough at the moment. The nation is grappling with challenges like the cost-of-living crisis, and demand for our services continues. The money raised as Charity of the Year will help us train more volunteers, and keep our helpline open 24 hours a day, 356 days a year. The more volunteers we have, the more we can support people to believe that a better tomorrow is possible.
Samaritans CEO Julie Bentley says: “It’s a really exciting and important opportunity for Samaritans to be the charity partner of the London Marathon. The marathon is known to be one of the most supportive marathon events there are, the crowds are amazing, they cheer people on when the goings really tough on the marathon course, and that really resonates with us at Samaritans."
Everything that we stand for is about being with people at the toughest times of their lives.
Samaritans CEO Julie Bentley
On the day
For the first time ever at the TCS London Marathon, Samaritans volunteers will be offering a non-judgmental, face-to-face listening service to spectators throughout the day at our new emotional support hubs. After the marathon, runners will also have the opportunity to visit these hubs if they would like to come and talk to us. Our emotional support hubs can be found at 15 different locations along the marathon route.
Rylan and Dame Kelly Holmes will also be Team Samaritans Cheerleaders on the day, united by a shared passion to help Samaritans continue to save lives.
Samaritans Cheerers are important members of our London Marathon team. Our Cheerers provide a welcome lift and a much needed injection of energy and remind you why running to support the Samaritans mission is so important.
Dave the Running Telephone, our Team Captain
Dave, otherwise known as Samaritans Running Telephone, is lacing up his running shoes and donning his iconic phone costume to take on his 25th consecutive London Marathon for Samaritans!
Town centre takeovers
People will feel the spirit of the London Marathon all over the nation with Samaritans branches getting involved in exciting and unique ways.
The TCS London Marathon MyWay is a chance for people to complete the 26.2 miles wherever they wish on marathon day. Some branches will be hosting town centre takeovers to cheer on our MyWay runners and show their communities that they believe in tomorrow.
Photo credit: Samaritans of Taunton and Somerset
Going green
Our partners in the rail industry will also be supporting us over the marathon weekend. Stations across the network will be lighting up green to show their support and some are also hosting our brilliant volunteers who will be greeting our runners on the day.
These include Charing Cross, King’s Cross, Waterloo, Liverpool Street, Reading, Liverpool Lime Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Manchester Piccadilly, Sevenoaks and Leeds.
We’ll also be cheering on employees from GB Railfreight, East Midlands Railway and South Western Railway who are running on behalf of us. Go #TeamSamaritans!
As the final runner passes the finish line and the next organisation takes the baton of Charity of the Year, Samaritans would like to say a massive thank you to the TCS London Marathon for letting us be involved in such a legendary event. The legacy of this partnership will be felt through the essential funds raised and the awareness spread throughout the UK.
Good luck to all our fabulous runners – we'll be there cheering you on every step of the way!