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ROCK star charity Teenage Cancer Trust takes over the Virgin Money London Marathon tomorrow. Spectators won’t be able to miss the 700 runners – Daily Star’s James Cabooter included – in red, white and blue shirts after TCT was made Charity of the Year for the capital’s biggest sporting event. From humble beginnings in 1990, TCT has grown to become the only UK charity providing specialised nursing and emotional support for people with cancer aged 13 to 24. And what other charity can boast rock star ambassadors Kasabian, Paul Weller as well as both Noel and Liam Gallagher in their ranks? A huge reason for the charity’s growth is patron Roger Daltrey, who for more than 20 years has conceived and curated a series of annual concerts in aid of the cause. Daltrey has sold more than 100million records with The Who, which is precisely why he felt a need to give back. “It’s amazing,” says Roger. “It was young adults who bought our records in the first place so it made sense to support them back. “We lead the world in music and now we lead the world in the way teenagers are treated with cancer. “It’s the most rewarding work that you’ll ever do, it fills you up with something money can’t buy.” Over the years everyone from Sir Paul McCartney to Ed Sheeran have performed for Daltrey’s TCT concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
“It’s a charity close to our hearts as it’s the age you get into music,” Kasabian’s Serge Pizzorno says. “The age you go on to stage and the age you discover your favourite bands and that’s who is our crowd, they are our people, so we feel close to it.” TCT’s marathon appeal is hoping to raise £1.3million for research and to create more units to help young people and their families deal with the ways cancer affects your body, mind and life. Cancer survivor Nick, 24, is one of the 43,802 runners eight years after being told the prognosis was terminal. He explains: “The facilities on the Teenage Cancer Trust unit were life-saving.
“There was a day room, a place to prep food, a TV room, all sorts of specialists coming to see how we are and offer pastoral care, all sorts to keep you distracted.
“It felt like a community, where I made friends with many other young people with cancer, which was hugely important that I wasn’t in this fight alone.”
Household names such as Rochelle Humes and comic Joel Dommett are also pounding the 26.2 miles in support of TCT.
Singer-turned presenter Rochelle is attempting her first marathon – just 13 months after giving birth to her second daughter Valentina Raine.
“I’ve always wanted to do it, now’s the time,” says Rochelle, who had never even done a fun run before.
Incredible
“It’s one of those things you sign up for in the summer. The weather is good. You forget that the training is worse later on.”
Former I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here contestant Joel Dommet has had to swap Witchetty grubs for healthier snacks. “I must ‘carb load’,” he laughs. “Or as I call it ‘continue to eat lots of carbs’.
“Teenage Cancer Trust are an incredible bunch.
“I’ve been visiting wards during the tour and seen first hand the amazing work they do.” ¬
Find out more on Teenage Cancer Trust at teenagecancertrust.org/ and tune into the Virgin Money London Marathon on BBC One tomorrow from 8.30am.