Actress Callie Cooke takes on the race of her life to run the London Marathon for Young Lives vs Cancer

ACTRESS Callie Cooke, who is set to star in this summer’s film F1, is first taking on the race of her life of her own, running the TCS London Marathon on Sunday 27 April for charity. 

Callie, 31, known for her roles in Doctor Who and Henpocalypse!, is following in the footsteps of her good friend and star of Ted Lasso, Phil Dunster, who ran the London Marathon last year for Young Lives vs Cancer, the leading UK charity for children and young people with cancer and their families. 

Callie, from London, was motivated to take on the race for the charity after watching Phil take on the 26.2-mile marathon mission. 

Callie said: “Last year my good friend Phil ran the London Marathon in aid of the brilliant Young Lives vs Cancer, and now Phil is handing over the baton to me! 

“Cancer is something very close to all our hearts and Young Lives vs Cancer are a charity full of wonderful people doing wonderful things, and I promise to run as fast as my little legs will take me and only moan once or twice! 

“It’s a really big challenge for me but I’m so proud to be doing what I can to help children and young people living with cancer. Every day, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. I’ve seen the real difference the charity makes and thinking of that will get me across the finish line.”  

From the moment of diagnosis, Young Lives vs Cancer Specialist Social Workers provide day-to-day support for each child, young person and family. 

The charity arranges grants and helps young people and families get the benefits and other support they’re entitled to. The charity also provides accommodation close to hospitals, where families can stay together during treatment for free to ease the financial burden of travel and to keep families together.  

Callie will be running alongside more than 300 runners running for the marathon as part of Team Young Lives – and running alongside boxing trainer and former amateur Irish boxer Shane McGuigan and Italian footballer and UEFA Euro 2020 winner Leonardo Bonucci. 

Ginny Troughton, Sports and Challenge Events Manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “We are so grateful to Callie for her amazing efforts taking on the London Marathon for Young Lives vs Cancer. For every blister and all the running and training, we are in awe of her dedication and determination. 

“Our charity relies on donations to fund our vital work, and so we’d love to see everyone get behind a final push for Callie’s fundraising. We cannot wait to cheer Callie on all the way to the finish line!”  

To support Callie’s London Marathon effort, visit: https://bit.ly/43JgB2G