Every year, Help & Care has places for the London Marathon. The TCS London Marathon is one of the top-five World Marathon Majors and well-known events in the UK. Since it was first run in 1981, the marathon has raised over £890 million for good causes, becoming the largest annual fundraising event on the planet. The event attracts all sort of different people, from professional athletes to amateur runners, creating an exciting and inspiring atmosphere.
Experience the thrill of running in one of the world’s most iconic marathons while making a meaningful impact in your community. By securing one of our charity places, you'll have the opportunity to participate in the TCS London Marathon in 2026, and support our Roots Service.
At Roots, we support adults to manage and enhance their mental health conditions and wellbeing through volunteering in gardening activities. They volunteer to help maintain the gardens of older and individuals and people living with disabilities in our community.
Money raised from fundraising has significantly benefited our volunteers and clients by enabling us to provide essential support and resources. These include:
- Training and support for people living with mental health conditions.
- Maintenance and enhancement of gardens for older individuals and people living with disabilities.
- Fostering a sense of belonging and social connection among our volunteers and beneficiaries.
- Expanded outreach efforts and raising awareness about the benefits of gardening for mental health within our community.
Learn how Roots helped Dan Recover from depression and anxiety here, Peter’s story here and Ann’s story here.
Who Can Run?
Whether you are a weekly Park Run athlete, a Couch-to-5K-graduate, or contemplating your first pair of trainers, the London Marathon is open to all. It can be a hugely rewarding experience, and with Help & Care, you'll join a small community of runners to help on your journey.
By joining our group of fundraisers, you will have access to:
- Peer support through a friendly WhatsApp group (optional)
- Advice from our own expert, Esther, who is a keen runner and gives fundraisers lots of great tips
- A pre-run catchup in Bournemouth to meet your fellow runners.
Of course, this support is not essential, but our fundraisers often find real value in the community, especially as most tend to be from the Dorset area.
As a charity runner, you'll be tasked with raising a minimum of £1,500 for our Roots Service, which provides essential support to individuals in need. Your participation not only helps us raise vital funds but also shines a spotlight on our organisation.
Interested in applying?
If you would like to join our London Marathon team, please send an email to our Income Generation/Fundraising Officer, Charlie Monkcom at charlie.monkcom@helpandcare.org.uk.
We can't wait to meet you, and thank you for your interest in joining #RunForRoots.