Still trying to decide which charity you’d like to support for this year’s TCS London Marathon? Join Bowel Cancer UK and help raise vital funds to help stop people dying of bowel cancer.

What better way to mark a special milestone birthday than by running the TCS London Marathon? Mike Barnes decided that 2022 was his year as he was turning 70. Mike certainly didn’t consider himself a runner, which made his challenge all the more inspiring! 

Mike ran in memory of his daughter, Laura Stephenson, whom he sadly lost to bowel cancer in 2019. Laura was diagnosed stage 4 in April 2018 and was just 36 when she died. She left behind three young daughters, her husband Mark and many family members and friends who miss her dearly. Unfortunately, Laura’s diagnosis came too late, but Mike is determined to raise awareness of the disease and its signs and symptoms in the hope it can save others.

Mike comments: "I was so proud to run the TCS London Marathon as part of #teambowelcancer. I took the plunge and applied for a charity place as a way to remember a person who showed fantastic courage throughout her illness. I received amazing support from the events team and other runners in the Facebook support group. On Marathon Day, the cheer points kept me going and the welcome I received at the post-marathon party was incredible. It was one of the best days of my life – one I will never forget!

"Supporting Bowel Cancer UK is a real privilege and a great way to remember Laura. Knowing I raised funds to help others affected by the disease gives me a great sense of pride as well as comfort on the difficult days. The funds I raised will be part of Laura’s legacy and I know her daughters will look back on all the amazing fundraising in her memory and see how special their mummy was to so many people."

Bowel cancer is the second-biggest cancer killer in the UK, however it is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. As the UK's leading bowel cancer charity, we are determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer.

Join #teambowelcancer and you'll start receiving the amazing benefits including:

• a running vest to stand out from the crowds
• support every step of the way, including exclusive access to our Virtual Running Club training programme, a dedicated Facebook group to connect with other #teambowelcancer runners and an invitation to our training day
• fundraising support from our events team
• support from our amazing cheer squads around the course
• an invite to our post-marathon party near the Finish Line, where you can refresh and get a well-earned sports massage

Whether you’d like to use your ballot place to join us or apply for one of our charity places, we’d love to hear from you. To find out more, visit our website here.