Organisers of the London Marathon have reported that this year’s running event in April raised a record-breaking £73.5m for charities.
London Marathon Events announced this week that a total of £73.5m had been raised for over 1,700 charities by fundraisers for the marathon, which is the largest ever total for a one-day fundraising event.
The annual event, which has been running since 1981, has now raised more than £1.3bn for charities during this time.
Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events said: “We salute every single participant who has contributed to this world record-breaking total of £73.5m for the thousands of charities which provide essential services to so many.
“It is astonishing that the London Marathon has now raised more than £1.3bn for charity since the first edition in 1981.”
Fundraising platforms announced shortly after the 2024 event that the £66.4m world record had been surpassed, with the total standing at £67m at that point.
Samaritans raises four times normal amount
Samaritans, the marathon’s official charity partner for the 2024 edition, said it had raised £1.1m so far from the event.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “We are so grateful to all our 2024 London Marathon runners and partners who have so far helped us raise more than £1.1m, four times the amount we would normally raise annually via the London Marathon.
“We estimate that over the next three years, the charity of the year partnership will generate a total of £2.8m.”
When selected as the 2024 marathon partner, the suicide prevention charity said it hoped it would raise £1.7m from the event.
Macmillan Cancer Support, meanwhile, reported that it raised more than £2.1m from the 2024 TCS London Marathon.
Fundraising platform reports 60% increase
Enthuse, the marathon’s official online fundraising partner, also saw an unprecedented £30m raised via its platform.
Chester Mojay-Sinclare, Enthuse’s founder and CEO, said: “The £30 million raised through our official platform is a 60% increase on 2023 and we’re proud to help support good causes with their vital work.
“Charities play a crucial role in the UK and this outstanding fundraising total is a reflection of people's gratitude towards them.”
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