Thousands of fundraisers are taking to the streets on Sunday (March 19) to take part in the Marsden March .
The annual walk, which first took place in 2011, has raised more than £8 million in total for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity , and is expected to see 5,500 people taking part.
The event features a 14 mile or five mile sponsored walk between The Royal Marsden’s hospitals in Chelsea and Sutton.
The Marsden March was set up as a way for patients, staff, friends and family to show their support or honour a loved one.
Money raised is donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which funds pioneering work in cancer research, diagnosis, treatment and care to improve the lives of patients at The Royal Marsden and people with cancer throughout the UK and beyond.
Among those taking part is Tom Marfleet, a bowel cancer patient who a year ago struggled to walk 100 yards from his hospital bed to watch Marsden March walkers.
Among the celebrities expected to take part are Marsden March regulars Richard and Fred Fairbrass from Right Said Fred , comedian Tim Vine and EastEnders actor and I’m a Celebrity contestant Larry Lamb.
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Time to say goodbye
With fundraisers making their way to the finishing line in their droves, now seems a good time to finish our live coverage of the Marsden March. Well done to everyone who took part, and remember to read our round-up here.
Round-up
As walkers continue to cross the finishing line, you can read our round-up of the day so far.
Family support
Medals
Obviously, the aim of today isn’t to finish first, it’s to raise money for a great cause.
But here’s something all those that cross the finish line can expect...
Celebrity alert
This time its Tim Vine (who was very funny in the panto I saw over Christmas), starting the five mile walk.
The walks
The event features a 14 mile or five mile sponsored walk between The Royal Marsden’s hospitals in Chelsea and Sutton.
More about the Marsden March
The Marsden March was set up as a way for patients, staff, friends and family to show their support or honour a loved one.
Money raised is donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, which funds pioneering work in cancer research, diagnosis, treatment and care to improve the lives of patients at The Royal Marsden and people with cancer throughout the UK and beyond.
What is the Marsden March?
The first Marsden March was in 2011 and raises money for the The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. In that time it has raised more than £8 million.
Among those taking part today is Tom Marfleet, a bowel cancer patient who a year ago struggled to walk 100 yards from his Royal Marsden hospital bed to watch the fundraisers pass.
Speaking as he walked past Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea fan said:
The whole street is full of people doing the Marsden March. It’s a really good atmosphere and I’m enjoying it.
“Whether I’ll be happy in four hours time is another matter.”
Sponsors get ready to go
Marsden March sponsors Banham Security. It is a poignant day for the group of one of its chief fundraisers died suddenly earlier this month.
