The announcement builds on the charity’s marathon debut last year, when its first-ever runner, Inta, completed the event and raised more than £2,000 for the Children’s Ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
Now, the charity is expanding with a team of four determined fundraisers ready to line up on the start line in London this spring.
Adrian Petts, Head of Charity at DBTH Charity, said: “As a growing charity we are so thrilled to enter our largest team yet to the London Marathon this year.
“Our runners have poured all their efforts into their fundraising, and it’s been brilliant watching them find new ways to fundraise – we couldn’t ask for a better team.”
Among them is Kieran Benson, an eRoster Support Analyst at DBTH, who is running in memory of his grandparents, all of whom received care from the Trust.
He said: “The compassion and support they were shown has always stayed with me.
“Running the London Marathon felt like the perfect way to challenge myself while giving something back to a charity that has helped my family and friends so much.”
A proud local, Kieran has organised a seven-a-side charity football match, hosted a quiz night at BRIX Coffee Co, completed the Doncaster 10K and secured support from local businesses including Albemarle Homes. He has currently raised £3,248.
Steve Forster is also taking on the challenge, inspired by the difference the charity makes across the community.
He said he admires the impact of DBTH Charity’s work and wanted to set himself a meaningful challenge while raising awareness and funds for a cause that will inevitably touch everyone’s lives at some point.
Alongside juggling training with everyday commitments, Steve recently completed the Brass Monkey Half Marathon in York and continues to train with support from his local running club, Team Manvers and has raised over £1,200 already.
For Lyndsey Dunworth, the marathon marks a milestone year as she celebrates her 50th birthday.
She said: “I chose to fundraise for DBTH Charity because it supports local hospitals that all of my family have used at some point, and I wanted to support local fundraising where possible.”
“This year is my 50th birthday, and running the London Marathon felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
Lyndsey is training alongside her twin sister, who is fundraising for Rotherham Hospice.
Nicole Tucker, a midwife at DBTH, is swapping hospital corridors for the streets of London as she prepares for the 26.2-mile course.
Having seen first-hand the difference the charity makes, Nicole is passionate about giving back. Her training journey has already included completing her first 10K, finishing the Yorkshire 10 Mile and building up to longer distances in the new year.
She said: “This charity helps us go beyond the basics and deliver the kind of care that really stays with people.”
As a midwife, Nicole is no stranger to long stints on her feet, running up and down corridors and catching babies at all hours of the day.
She continued: “Signing up for a run might just feel like another day at work except with slightly less screaming and tears hopefully”
Nicole even put her motivation into verse:
“I support the women, calming the screams,
“Survive on tea and half-baked dreams.
“But now I’m running with my shoes laced tight,
“For charity, and not just fright!
“From robots sharp to memory kits,
“This charity funds all the hits.
“So I’ll jog, I’ll puff, I might just crawl
“But I’ll do it with love for one and all!”
Together, the four runners have already raised more than £5,300, funds which will support projects that go above and beyond NHS provision – from enhanced equipment and improved environments to wellbeing initiatives that benefit patients and staff across the Trust’s hospitals.
Adrian continued: “Each runner has their own personal reason for taking part, but they all share the same goal – to give back and make a difference for our patients, families and colleagues.
“The support from our communities so far has been fantastic, and we can’t wait to cheer them on.”
To support Team DBTH Charity in the 2026 London Marathon, visit their fundraising pages:
Nicole – https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/nicolegottheruns/london-marathon
Lyndsey – https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/lyndseydunworth/london-marathon
Steve – https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/stephenforster/london-marathon
Kieran – https://fundraise.dbthcharity.co.uk/fundraisers/kieranbenson/london-marathon
If you’re interested in running the London Marathon 2027 for DBTH Charity, please contact the team by email dbth.charity@nhs.net or call 01302 648282.
About DBTH Charity:
Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ Charity is the official charity which supports Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Trust to go above and beyond by providing additional equipment, services and amenities for our patients, visitors and staff which cannot be funded by the NHS alone.
These additional extras would not be possible without the support of our community. With your help, we can continue to work with our Trust to fund innovative and exciting projects that make a difference to our patients, their families and our colleagues who care for them.
Visit the charity website to find out more: https://dbthcharity.co.uk/