The PPL running team is on the move again to raise money for charity! This time we will be taking on the Lisbon Superhalf marathon on Sunday 8 March 2026. Peter Leathem, Mark Douglas, Laurence Oxenbury, Shula Kerr and Ruth Webster will be running in support of healthcare charity BAPAM (the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine).

BAPAM does such great work and we are delighted to be supporting this important charity for the performing arts sector.

Peter Leathem is very proud to be the Chair of BAPAM and PPL is delighted to be a key funder. BAPAM is the largest provider of clinical services to the UK’s entire performing arts sector, supporting industry professionals and students, from musicians and singers to dancers, and actors, as well as those who work behind the scenes. It ensures they receive the best possible information and training to prevent poor health as well as specialist care when things go wrong, to support healthy careers and aid recovery from illness or injury.

Since its establishment in 1984, BAPAM has helped thousands of artists and creators each year to enjoy a healthy career, and is supported by organisations such as Help Musicians, PRS Members’ Fund, PPL, Royal Society of Musicians, Healthy Conservatoires, Equity, the Musicians’ Union, Dance Professionals Fund, Actors’ Benevolent Fund and Royal Variety Charity to extend its reach into all parts of the performing arts sector. Healthcare is important to everyone, but it is particularly vital that those in the performing arts sector can access qualified, registered health professionals who have the specialist skills and knowledge of the sector to help artists and performers overcome health challenges and return to creative work in good time. I am always amazed at how much positive feedback BAPAM receives each year from patients that are so delighted with the care and attention that they received.

The need for specialist health support in the performing arts is greater than ever. BAPAM is a unique medically led charity delivering free, expert clinical services to over 3000 people each year, and training thousands more in healthy practice to prevent problems.

Healthcare is important to everyone, but it is particularly vital that those in the performing arts sector can access qualified, registered health professionals who have the specialist skills and knowledge of the sector to help artists and performers overcome health challenges and return to creative work in good time. I am always amazed at how much positive feedback BAPAM receives each year from patients that are so delighted with the care and attention that they received.

BAPAM, as a charity, needs financial support to provide its services. We would be delighted if you could support us to run the Lisbon Superhalf, which in turn will help BAPAM to grow their services to help more people and support a healthier performing arts industry for all.