James Page from Sidcup, London, will be running the 26.2-mile TCS London Marathon this Sunday, 27 April, with a 6-foot-5-inch (2-metre), 10kg (22 lbs) bear on his back. He hopes his giant bear, called ‘Brave’, will help generate donations for Children with Cancer UK so he can reach his fundraising goal of £10,000.

James has participated in a variety of endurance events to benefit charities, these include half marathons, full marathons, ultra marathons, triathlons, obstacle courses and mountain races. Perhaps his most notable accomplishment was completing the Marathon Des Sables – a race known as one of the toughest on Earth, spanning 250 kilometres across the Sahara Desert – not once but twice.

Already this year James has run the Brighton Marathon, along with two half-marathons and a 50-mile race – all while carrying the giant bear on his back. James hopes this will generate donations for Children with Cancer UK and support the charity in achieving its goal of a world where every child and young person survives their cancer diagnosis.

James said: “I’m running the London Marathon to raise awareness and funds for Children with Cancer UK. In these challenging times, it’s difficult for charities to raise funds, and they need all the support they can get. People rely on these charities and the work they do.

“I’d love to raise £10k for Children with Cancer UK. I also enjoy setting myself new challenges and I’m hoping that me and my bear Brave can run the marathon in a decent time.”

James is a dedicated fundraiser for Children with Cancer UK, having done so since 2019. He was motivated to support the charity by the experiences of his parents, who were both diagnosed with cancer. As a parent himself, he is deeply committed to helping children who face similar challenges.

James said: “In 2018 both of my parents were diagnosed with cancer. They received fantastic care and support from the NHS and cancer charities. I knew I wanted to raise money for a cancer charity, and having two children of my own, I decided to raise money and awareness for Children with Cancer UK. The charity is fantastic and really champions its fundraisers. I’ve made some great friends through the charity and my fundraising efforts.”

The TCS London Marathon is the biggest annual fundraising event for Children with Cancer UK and this year the charity is hoping to raise £3 million. Every pound raised will help to fund ground-breaking scientific research into the treatment and causes of childhood cancer and provide crucial ongoing support for young cancer patients and their loved ones.

Amar Naher, Children with Cancer UK Interim CEO said: “We’re so grateful to James for his hard work raising funds for childhood cancer. Sadly, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death for children and young people in the UK. The donations James has tirelessly helped raise will fund life-saving research for childhood cancer and support services for families facing a cancer diagnosis during their most challenging times.”

To support James and to donate to Children with Cancer UK, visit James’ online giving page.