Find out how to take on the TCS London Marathon for charity 
 

Apply to be Charity of the Year

Information on how to apply for Charity of the Year for the 2026 TCS London Marathon will be available in March 2024.

The TCS London Marathon is the world’s most successful one-day annual fundraising event, having raised well over £1 billion for thousands of charities since its first edition in 1981. Charities and their supporters play a crucial part in the event's ongoing success.

London Marathon Events (LME) is looking to appoint a charity, or partnership of charities, that is looking to fund an innovative project (or projects) that will create a lasting impact for its beneficiaries. We’re interested in projects that will be financially sustainable and deliver long-term benefits to the organisation. 
 
Any UK-registered charity of any size is welcome to apply; however, we ask that you consider the work required to maximise this opportunity for your organisation before applying. Charities that develop a compelling but simple communications campaign alongside a robust fundraising and recruitment plan are most likely to succeed in delivering on the potential of the opportunity. 
 
The chosen charity will receive help to maximise its impact and deliver its campaign from the LME team and its partners. 

Previous Charities of the Year

  • 2010: CLIC Sargent 
  • 2011: Oxfam 
  • 2012: Team PB (Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care) 
  • 2013: YouthNet and Age UK 
  • 2014: Anthony Nolan 
  • 2015: Cancer Research UK 
  • 2016: NSPCC 
  • 2017: The Royal Foundation's Heads Together Campaign 
  • 2018: Teenage Cancer Trust 
  • 2019: The Dementia Revolution (Alzheimer's Society & Alzheimer's Research UK) 
  • 2020: Mencap 
  • 2021: Macmillan
  • 2022: British Heart Foundation
  • 2023: Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity
  • 2024: Samaritans 
    • Fundraising tips

      Raise more money for charity with our top fundraising tips

    • Charity of the Year

      Help Samaritans be here, day and night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope

    • Why run for charity?

      Taking part for charity has lots of benefits for both you and your chosen cause

    • Fundraising tips

      Raise more money for charity with our top fundraising tips

    • Charity of the Year

      Help Samaritans be here, day and night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope

    • Why run for charity?

      Taking part for charity has lots of benefits for both you and your chosen cause

    • Fundraising tips

      Raise more money for charity with our top fundraising tips

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