Pancreatic Cancer UK has been named as the 2025 TCS London Marathon charity of the year.
The charity hopes to raise £2m through the partnership to create an early detection test for the disease. It is aiming to recruit 800 runners for the London Marathon next year.
Samaritans was the event's charity of the year for 2024 and had nearly 500 runners fundraise for it. The suicide prevention charity had hoped to raise £1.7m from the partnership but told Civil Society it had raised over £1m so far.
In 2023, GOSH Charity was selected as charity of the year and raised £2.7m, shy of the £3.5m it had hoped to raise.
Overall, the London Marathon raised a record-breaking £67m for 1,700 charities this week, with funds still being collected.
‘Will be one of the most important days for pancreatic cancer ever’
Diana Jupp, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “The 2025 TCS London Marathon will be one of the most important days for pancreatic cancer ever and we are so, so proud to be the official charity of the year.
“For 50 years, research into this devastating disease has been underfunded and left behind, leaving families with only hope to hold on to.
“But they deserve more than hope. To have an early detection test finally within reach, which could save as many lives as there are runners taking part in this iconic event is hugely exciting.”
Pancreatic Cancer UK revealed its new brand identity last week, which cost the charity £85,000.
Hugh Brasher, event director of the TCS London Marathon said: “My father Chris Brasher, co-founder of the London Marathon, died from pancreatic cancer just six months after diagnosis so I know well the devastating impact of this disease.
“We wish the team at Pancreatic Cancer UK all the very best in their efforts and look forward to working with them in the year ahead.”
We’re so proud of #TeamSamaritans for showing the world that we believe in tomorrow 💚 Thank you to @londonmarathon for believing in us as the 2024 charity of the year.
— Samaritans (@samaritans) April 24, 2024
Now, we’re handing over the charity of the year baton for 2025 to @PancreaticCanUK 💜 pic.twitter.com/wDmsfXtmJb
