The NSPCC has targeted raising £2.3m in the Virgin London Marathon 2016 after being named today as the official partner.

The charity said its London Marathon 2016 team will be the charity’s biggest ever.

Some 450 people ran for NSPCC in last weekend's race, and it expects to raise £1m from last weekend's marathon in which donations are still coming in.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC’s chief executive, said: “2016 is shaping up to be a huge year for the NSPCC and, in particular, our ChildLine service which will be marking 30 years. It’s fantastic that in this milestone year, we’ve been chosen to be the official charity of the Virgin Money London Marathon, and we’re calling on runners across the UK to join Team NSPCC to make it our biggest and best team ever!

“We’re asking our runners to raise £2.3 million to help us recruit and train more counsellors to reduce waiting times and ensure we can provide support to every child who needs us, however and whenever they choose to get in touch. Every step, every mile, will help us keep every child safe.”  

Hugh Brasher, London Marathon race director, said: “The Virgin Money London Marathon is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world and the NSPCC is a fitting partner, I am delighted they are our official charity in 2016.”

In addition to choosing the NSPCC as its charity partner, Virgin Money staff and customers aims to raise around £200,000 through a range of events and activities.

Virgin Money Giving released initial figures for last weekend’s marathon, £18.4m has been raised by over 15,000 people who registered fundraising pages with Virgin Money Giving for various charities.