There were smiles, cheers and celebrations aplenty on Sunday as 70 runners took on the Royal Parks Half Marathon as part of Team Smile, making it Spread a Smile’s largest team of runners to date.
Thanks to the incredible determination and generosity of our runners and supporters, Team Smile has already raised more than £64,000 to help Spread a Smile continue bringing joy, laughter and moments of connection to seriously ill children, young people and their families across the country
This year’s team brought together an inspiring community of supporters, including our amazing corporate partners BC Partners, Corinthia London, KKR, Mildreds and Uncommon, alongside dedicated individual fundraisers and parents from families supported by Spread a Smile.
The stunning 13.1-mile route through London’s Royal Parks provided a beautiful backdrop for a day filled with determination, teamwork and fundraising success. From experienced runners to those taking on their first half marathon challenge, every member of Team Smile crossed the finish line knowing they had made a meaningful difference to children and young people facing serious illness.
This year, a team from Mildreds Restaurants ran in memory of Ari, daughter of Managing Director Sam Anstey with Sam saying, “Spread a Smile was incredibly special to Ari and to our whole family. During some of the hardest times of her illness, they brought moments of happiness, laughter and normality when we needed them most. I am running the Royal Parks Half Marathon with close friends and some of the Mildreds team in memory of our special Ari and to raise money so Spread a Smile can continue
doing the same for other children and families. Ari was our light, and it means so much to us to be doing this in her memory.”
The charity would like to say a huge thank you to every member of Team Smile for their months of training, fundraising and dedication. We would also like to thank the fantastic supporters who joined us on the day to cheer runners on around the course, creating an incredible atmosphere and providing much-needed encouragement from start to finish.
Spread a Smile Director of Fundraising, Tessa Kelly said: “What an incredible day for Team Smile. To welcome our biggest-ever team of 70 runners and raise such an incredible amount is a fantastic achievement. We are so grateful to everyone who chose to take on this challenge for Spread a Smile and all those who came along to cheer, making it such a special and impactful day.”
Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part. You should be immensely proud of this wonderful achievement.
Join Team Smile for the 2027 Royal Parks Half Marathon.
