The Velindre Charity Secures London Marathon Places for the First Time Ever!

Last year, we received the exciting news that the Velindre Charity had secured one Golden Bond package through the marathon’s new Charity Bond scheme. This means that each year, from 2026 to 2029, we can proudly sponsor four lucky runners to represent Velindre in this iconic race.

While 2026 will mark the first year of our official, charity-owned places, Velindre is no stranger to the London Marathon. Since 2011, 93 committed runners have crossed the finish line, raising awareness for Velindre Cancer Services on a national scale and bringing in more than £104,000 in vital funds!

As one of the world’s most prestigious races, the London Marathon has seen more than 1 million runners take part since its inception in 1981. The last two years set new records, with over 50,000 participants in 2024 and 840,000 hopeful entries in 2025—the highest numbers in the marathon’s history! Participants have raised over £1 billion in charitable funds, with many charities relying on this money to fund their work. It is a true testament to the marathon’s wide-reaching impact and that’s why we are so excited to offer our incredible supporters the opportunity to take part in this unforgettable challenge.

Each runner will need to fundraise a minimum amount of £4,000, but the Velindre charity will be available to support them every step of the way. Dedicated support from the charity will include an allocated member of the fundraising team to guide runners on their fundraising journey, a Velindre vest or t-shirt to wear on race day and a fundraising pack with helpful guidance and tips on how to raise money. Our charity-sponsored places will help us raise at least £64,000 for essential cancer services over the Golden Bond’s four-year term; an amount that will make an incredible impact to Velindre Cancer Services in South East Wales and beyond.

Donations will help us fund ground-breaking research, clinical trials and innovative treatments that provide all-important hope to patients and families, as well as a range of welfare and supportive care services. With £64,000, we could fund a dedicated clinical psychologist or complementary therapies service at Velindre Cancer Centre, providing invaluable wellbeing and mental health support to patients and staff when it’s needed the most. Our runners can take part in the marathon knowing that they’re making a meaningful difference to everyone that comes through the doors at Velindre.

Paul Wilkins, Velindre Charity Director, expressed his excitement on securing charity-owned places: “We are thrilled to have secured the Golden Bond package for the London Marathon from 2026 to 2029. This incredible opportunity allows us to enter four committed runners each year to raise vital funds and awareness for our cause, and we are immensely grateful to all our supporters and runners who will make this possible. We look forward to making a significant impact together at this prestigious event. The London Marathon’s draw is one of the most exciting aspects, bringing together runners from all over the world, and we are excited to be part of such a globally celebrated occasion.”

Are you ready for the challenge of a lifetime? Do you have a personal connection to Velindre and want to raise funds for essential cancer services in Wales? Then we want to hear from you! Whether you’re an experienced runner or a complete beginner, we want you on #TeamVelindre! We’d also be delighted to support you with your fundraising journey if you’ve managed to secure your own ballot place for 2025. Please contact a member of our fundraising team at [email protected] to get started!

Applications for our 2026 charity places will open on 21 April 2025. Keep an eye on our social media or website for updates, or sign up to our mailing list below and be the first to know when applications open!