Children from the poorest backgrounds shouldn't have their potential cut short before their lives have really begun.

The Virtual London Marathon gives runners the freedom to run this world-famous race wherever and however they want, as long as it's over 24 hours on Sunday 2nd October. Find out more details at https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/the-event/virtual-marathon.

Money raised by runners taking part in this event will help to transform the life stories of disadvantaged children in the UK.

On average, children from the poorest backgrounds start school 19 months behind their more privileged peers.

Children without the expected level of literacy skills are held back at every stage of their lives. They are:

- five times more likely to fail to meet the expected standards in English at age 11

- four times more likely to struggle to read as adults

- twice as likely to be unemployed aged 34

- three times more likely to have mental health problems as adults

Thank you for supporting our runners in this year's Virtual London Marathon https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/the-event/virtual-marathon.