DRWF Fundraising: Two spaces available for the 2021 London Marathon

Following last year’s cancelled event due to the Covid-19 pandemic the organisers of the Virgin Money London Marathon have scheduled a return event for 2021 on Sunday, 3rd October.

DRWF is looking for two runners to take on the famous 26.2 mile scenic route around London with a commitment to raising money in support of vital diabetes research.

Have you been inspired to keep fit during the last months in lockdown? Or perhaps you have taken up a new fitness routine? This could be the challenge for you while supporting DRWF!

We are looking for anyone interested in taking part to contact us and complete our application form before the 3rd March closing date.

DRWF will then carefully select two lucky runners to run for the charity in the world’s leading road Marathon. Applications will be assessed on an individual basis. All applicants will be contacted by the end of March.

Each applicant must commit to our £2,500 fundraising target.

We will ask both successful runners to personally submit a £99 registration fee straight onto their fundraising page to confirm their place. This will count towards their fundraising, leaving £2,401 to raise.

Runners will receive a DRWF running vest and/or T-shirt and a fundraising pack.

Our fundraising team will keep in touch throughout the preparations to help you keep on track with training and fundraising targets.

Our friendly team will also form a cheer squad on the day to support you all the way to the finishing line.

For more information please email fundraising@drwf.org.uk or call 023 9263 7808 to request an application form

Not a runner but know someone who is? Share this information with anyone you know who may be interested in taking part.

More details on plans for the 2021 London Marathon

The 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon is set to be the biggest marathon ever staged anywhere in the world, with an incredible 100,000 runners scheduled to take part on Sunday, 3rd October.

Organisers London Marathon Events recently confirmed the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon will return this year, with 50,000 places available for runners to take on the world’s greatest marathon on the course of their choice on 3 October, wherever they are on the planet.

On the same day, a record 50,000 participants will run from Blackheath to The Mall in the traditional mass-participation Virgin Money London Marathon on the streets of the capital, an increase of more than 7,000 on the previous finisher record.

The virtual Virgin Money London Marathon was held for the first time in 2020, when more than 37,000 runners, from all corners of the world, completed the event.

It has since been confirmed that the final finishing total of 37,966 means the run was awarded an official Guinness World Records title for the 'Most users to run a remote marathon in 24 hours'.

Thank you for your continued support!

Fundraising for DRWF during the Covid-19 pandemic

During lockdown many fundraising events that had been scheduled for this year have been cancelled as a result of social distancing measures as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now more than ever we are relying on supporters to come up with novel fundraising ideas to support charity operations.

For example, we recently reported on the challenge set by the Rivinus family, who set a 26,000 steps challenge at their home in support of DRWF.

Karen Scott, Community Fundraiser at DRWF, said: “We are still supporting our research projects during the COVID-19 health crisis. DRWF does not receive any government funding and relies on voluntary donations to enable us to continue to do this whilst providing practical support to people living with diabetes and those who care for them.”

If you have a fundraising idea and would like to support DRWF we would love to hear from you. Contact us to discuss any ideas by emailing fundraising@drwf.org.uk or call 023 9263 6138.

Call to action - How you can support DRWF during this time

Sarah Tutton, Chief Executive of DRWF, said: “Research is the only way to find new treatments and a cure for diabetes. We have multi-year grant awards in place right now which we must do our utmost to honour and we must be able to react to ongoing applications that we receive for research work that could truly make a difference to the lives of people with diabetes. 

“We exist on voluntary donations and fundraised income and like most charities, Covid-19 has had a huge impact on our ability to raise the funds we need. We expect the months ahead will be just as challenging, and sadly this may have an impact on our ability to fund the volume and value of research work that could fuel the next big breakthrough.

“Charities need us, as we need them, more than ever before. Our supporters enable us to keep our research funding on track meaning that the diabetes research community has funds available to find the cure that could transform the lives of millions. We can’t thank our supporters enough for their continued support during these challenging times.”

Read Lockdown guidance for staying home and safe for people living with diabetes during Covid-19 pandemic

Read How people with diabetes could become more ill if diagnosed with Covid-19

DRWF operations during the Covid-19 health crisis

The DRWF team is working remotely. Covid-19 guidance, particularly where it aligns or impacts with diabetes guidance, is shared as quickly as possible through the DRWF website and social media channels with the aim of making it as easy to understand as possible and a reliable source of latest news.

Further reports to follow – visit DRWF news page

Support DRWF by making a donation here

Find out more about DRWF-funded research here

Find out more about DRWF fundraising here

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To receive the charity’s latest bulletins as they become available, please sign up here

Read DRWF diabetes information leaflets here

Join the Diabetes Wellness Network here