A team of 18 runners, including some travelling from as far as Hong Kong and South Africa, will take part in Sunday’s TCS London Marathon in memory of the late brother of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who died from sarcoma cancer.

Charlie Hunt died aged 53 in August last year after being diagnosed with an ultra-rare form of sarcoma cancer called spindle cell sarcoma, which accounts for just six of every 10,000 cancer diagnoses. It can occur anywhere throughout the body but most commonly in the arms and legs.

“Team Chazza” is made up of Charlie’s friends and family. Charlie himself raised £140,000 for Sarcoma UK while fighting his own cancer, including running the London Marathon in 2022. The bedding and bath products company he founded, Soak & Sleep, announced a partnership with Sarcoma UK with a target of £300,000. Sarcoma UK is one of the biggest funders of sarcoma research in the UK and is spearheading efforts to fund more research into ultra-rare sarcomas.

Charlie’s widow, Thandi Hunt, from Guildford, Surrey, is among the runners continuing to raise money in Charlie’s memory. She said the team members have been supporting each other as they train for the big day, especially Charlie’s sister, Susie Blackburn. Thandi said: “Charlie and I found Sarcoma UK’s Support Line amazingly helpful and used it frequently. It was especially helpful to talk to the nurses on the line when you have received some information from doctors that is a bit overwhelming and difficult to take in.

“We are all running on Sunday because we want to support Sarcoma UK’s work in funding research into ultra-rare cancers plus all their other activities, such as offering support for people affected by sarcoma and trying to ensure there is an earlier diagnosis of sarcoma.”

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is also running the marathon for a new cancer and surgical innovation centre at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications and Fundraising at Sarcoma UK, expressed her admiration for the team’s efforts: “It is truly humbling to witness the outpouring of support from Team Chazza, with runners travelling from across the world to take part in the marathon and raise funds for Sarcoma UK. We are deeply touched by Thandi’s kind words about our Support Line, a service that has provided solace and guidance to countless individuals affected by this cruel disease. Our charity has worked closely with Charlie’s family, driven by a shared mission to ensure that those battling ultra-rare sarcomas will have access to more effective treatments in the future. We will be cheering on Team Chazza every step of the way.”