More Than £51,000 Raised For Wessex Cancer Support By Record Breaking London Marathon Runners

A record £51,500 has been raised for Wessex Cancer Support following Sunday’s London

Marathon.

The charity had its biggest ever team with 15 runners taking part in the 26.2-mile event.

Darren Godbert was one of the runners, raising around £3,600 towards the overall total.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” he said.

“There were moments I didn’t think I could do it. Moments when my legs screamed at me to stop and the finish line felt a lifetime away.

“But I kept going, because I wasn’t just running for myself. I was running for every single person who believed in me when I doubted myself.

"I was running for the incredible Wessex Cancer Support and all the lives they touch.

“I proved to myself that with love, faith and sheer stubbornness we are capable of far more than we ever dare to believe.

“I’m broken but I’m also full of pride, full of gratitude, full of something I can only call magic.”

Sunday’s event set a new world record for the number of finishers - 56,640 runners crossed

the line - despite the hot conditions.

Two-time London Marathon runner and Wessex Cancer Support volunteer Paul Thorley

supported the charity runners during their training and joined them in the capital with a

cheer squad on Sunday.

He said:

“It was an extraordinary day,” he said. “I feel so honoured to have been able to go on this incredible journey with them.

“I was so proud to see their months of hard work, training and fundraising come to fruition.

"Congratulations to you all, enjoy the moment, you deserve it.”

The charity has a limited number of golden bond spaces for next year’s London Marathon

and is now accepting expressions of interest.

Lorraine White, Interim Head of Community and Events fundraising, said:

“Everyone associated with Wessex Cancer Support is so proud and grateful to all 15 runners who took part.

“They absolutely smashed their fundraising target - an amazing achievement by everyone.

"A huge thanks to Paul too for doing such a great job supporting them all.

“This money will make such a difference to our ongoing efforts to support people living with cancer.

“Thank you all so much. And if you’re inspired to be a part of Team Wessex next year, please register your interest.”

To register interest for a golden bond space with Wessex Cancer Support in 2026, visit

bit.ly/3Yobd1v