Your friends are fundraising. Don't miss out, opt in.

My #ChanceToShine at the London Marathon 2026

Martin Osborne is raising money for Chance to Shine

London Marathon 2026 · 26 April 2026 ·

A fantastic team of #ChanceToShine runners are taking on the 2026 TCS London Marathon to help give more children the chance to be inspired by cricket. Support their incredible journey! #InspiredByCricket

Story

Thanks for visiting my JustGiving page!

I’ve been lucky enough to be given the opportunity to run the 2026 London Marathon for Chance to Shine.

As you may or may not know, I’m a huge cricket supporter, and whilst this mostly involves watching, I’ve also had the opportunity to see what a beneficial sport it can be for young people. It builds character, teaches teamwork, and creates lifelong friendships.

Chance to Shine’s mission is to give all children access to cricket. They take cricket into schools and communities where children might never otherwise get the opportunity to play. Learning about their work made me reflect on how lucky my daughters have been to experience cricket, and how many kids across the country are missing out on these same opportunities.

The Challenge They're Tackling

Of 4,000 cricket clubs across England and Wales, only 300 have junior sections in areas where children need them most. Chance to Shine is working to change this, reaching over 620,000 pupils nationwide and giving young people their first experience of cricket.

Whilst their work is primarily about teaching cricket skills, through this they’re promoting positive attitudes towards physical activity, developing teamwork and leadership skills, and ensuring access to sport for those who may not be lucky enough to have these opportunities otherwise.

Making a Difference Together

Running the London Marathon has been something I’ve wanted to do for years, and last year watching my amazing wife Hannah run for Chickenshed inspired me to take on the marathon myself.

Your generous contributions will help give more children access to cricket coaching, equipment, and opportunities that could genuinely change their lives.

Whether you can spare £5 or £50, every donation makes a real difference. Even if cricket is either totally incomprehensible or about as appealing as watching paint dry, I'm sure you'll understand what it feels like to do a sport you love with your friends - that's exactly what you’re helping more children experience.

Donation summary

Total
£2,928.33
+ £387.80 Gift Aid
Online
£1,751.20
Offline
£1,177.13

Charities pay a small fee for our service. Learn more about fees