Christopher Eccleston to run the London Marathon for the Big Issue

Today (5^th April) The Big Issue has announced that its Ambassador Christopher Eccleston will run the London Marathon to support its work with people living in poverty.

Having just turned 60, Eccleston is marking this milestone birthday by raising money and boosting awareness of the many ways the Big Issue is helping people to work their way out of poverty. The public can sponsor him, with all proceeds raised going to the Big Issue.

Christopher Eccleston said: “To be wearing the Big Issue colours is incredible. I’ve just turned 60. The last one I ran was when I was 50. So, my plan is to run at 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100. And then I’ll retire!

“I’ll be happy just to get round the course. I think I’ll be okay at 20 miles, but I don’t know where I’m going to find that next six miles.

“The training has been going okay. I really stepped it up at the end of last year. I played Scrooge at the Old Vic before Christmas and that really helped because it was so physical. But 26 miles is 26 miles.”

Lord John Bird, founder of the Big Issue and House of Lords crossbench peer, said: “We are lucky enough to have Christopher running the London Marathon for us this year.

“He was on the cover in 1996 and has been a Big Issue Ambassador since 2020. We value his support of us and our vendors hugely and will be cheering him on from the sidelines.

“Please do support Christopher by visiting his fundraising page to help all those who face barriers to work and help them to escape the chains of poverty for good.”

Eccleston has been a fixture on screen and stage for more than three decades. He recently starred opposite Jodie Foster in True Detective.

He’s one of approximately 50,000 fellow runners in taking on this year’s London Marathon, which is taking place on Sunday 21 April.

The TCS London Marathon will start at 8:30 am with a staggered start for both the elite and wheelchair races, before the mass participation event begins at 9:30 am, which the actor will be running in.

Eccleston won’t be the only celebrity on the course. Award-winning actors and musicians including McFly drummer Harry Judd, TV presenter Romesh Ranganathan, and star of Emmy award-winning show Ted Lasso, Phil Dunster, will all be making their London Marathon debuts.

The Big Issue Group is a social enterprise whose mission is to create innovative solutions through enterprise that unlock social and economic opportunities for people trapped in poverty. This includes its street magazine, the Big Issue, published weekly and sold by vendors as means to earn a legitimate income. Vendors who sell the Big Issue buy the magazine for £2 and sell them to the public for £4, keeping the difference.

To sponsor Christopher Eccleston and support the Big Issue, visit his fundraising page here: https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/christopher-eccleston