TTG Media CEO Daniel Pearce and deputy news editor Tom Parry will run 26.2 miles through the streets of the capital on 2 October in aid of the Family Holiday Charity (FHC).
It will be two-and-a-half years since the pair had initially been set to run for the charity after the marathon was postponed for the first time in its history due to the onset of the Covid pandemic.
The FHC, which rebranded from the Family Holiday Association in January, supports families facing tough times by providing domestic holidays and short breaks.
Whether it is a weekend stay in a caravan at the seaside or a day out at a UK attraction, the organisation believes in the power of time spent together and giving children and their parents the chance to enjoy themselves away from the difficulties of day-to-day life.
Chief executive Kat Lee said 2022 was shaping up to be “a truly exciting year” for the FHC, which has already been able to provide breaks to more families this year than it did during the whole of 2021.
Families living with challenges such as low income, long-term ill health, mental-health issues, disability or domestic abuse are referred to the charity through education, charity, or health and social welfare channels.
Lee said the charity’s latest research highlighted how around 2.2 million UK families were unable to access a holiday, and warned the impact of pandemic and the mounting cost-of-living crisis had worsened the statistic.
She also stressed more children were in danger of missing out on vital respite, placing additional pressure on parents already in difficult positions.
“We want to help as many families as we can to get time away together, often for the first time ever, for holidays that build confidence, happy memories and hope for the future,” Lee told TTG. “That’s one of the reasons, this year, we changed our name and updated our brand – to communicate the joy and happiness of what we do and make it clear that we need support to make it happen.”
Daniel said: “Tom and I were thrilled when the Family Holiday Charity approached us in 2019 about running the marathon in 2020 – and even more thrilled that after almost three years we’re finally going to get the chance to do this in October.
“Together with the others in the FHC team, we look forward to raising funds for this fantastic charity. Under our vision for Smarter, Better, Fairer travel, TTG Media believes strongly in the value of holidays as a force for the good and for mental wellbeing. We sincerely hope that our efforts this year will result in many more families being able to take holidays together.”
Daniel and Tom will run as part of the FHC’s #HolidayHeroes team, which also includes a number of travel industry figures such as Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel, Silver Travel Advisor’s Lisa McAuley, Lucia Rowe, UK and Ireland managing director of A-Rosa River Cruises and Travel Weekly news reporter Harry Kemble.
“We’re hugely grateful for the opportunity to run for the FHC and support its work,” said Tom. “I’ve seen first-hand how important it is and so it is a privilege to be one of their #HolidayHeroes. Any support you can give us is incredibly appreciated.”
Lee added: “We’re so grateful to Daniel and Tom, and all the other #HolidayHeroes taking part in the London Marathon and fundraising for us this year. Every donation will help us give a family the gift of a lifetime – a family holiday.”
To support Daniel and Tom, visit their JustGiving page and to find out more about the Family Holiday Charity, please visit familyholidaycharity.org.uk.
