Sidcup man to run London Marathon with 6 foot teddy bear

James Page, a dedicated fundraiser for Children with Cancer UK, has been pushing his limits for years in support of the charity.

Inspired by his parents’ battles with cancer, he began raising money in 2019 and has since taken on ultra-marathons, obstacle courses, and even the gruelling Marathon des Sables, a 250km race across the Sahara Desert.

The 250km race across the Sahara Dessert (Image: James Page)

He told the News Shopper: “This year, I wanted to give myself more of a challenge.

“Last year, I did the London Marathon with a military backpack on, and I received a lot of donations.

“The teddy bear is from Amazon, and we’ve already run half marathons together – I raised £1,000 in a week already.”

(Image: James Page)

The cause is deeply personal for James, whose mum was given the all-clear from cancer on the very same day his dad was diagnosed.

You can donate to James’s JustGiving page here

Now a dad himself, he says the thought of any child facing such a battle is heart breaking.

“I’ve got two young kids, and I can’t imagine what it would be like for them to go through it,” he added.

“That’s why I keep pushing myself to raise as much as I can.”

James will be taking on the London Marathon next month (Image: James Page)

James, who regularly trains on woodland trails before or after work, is no stranger to endurance feats.

Alongside completing the Fire & Ice Ultra in Iceland, he once ran a marathon entirely in his garden during lockdown to support charities struggling during the pandemic.

This year, he’s set to run both the Brighton and London marathons, plus two half marathons and a 50-mile race – each with the giant bear strapped to his back.

But he’s not stopping at just running.

James and the Giant Teddy Bear (Image: James Page)

James explained: “I’m also trying to raise money through a ‘name the bear’ competition.

“So far, I’ve had loads of businesses donate prizes, and I’m trying to get lots of local schools involved.”

With his family, friends, and children cheering him on, James will take on the marathons solo—but says he never feels alone.

“I’ve got to know a lot of the people at the charity – it’s like a little family,” he said.

To date, James has raised £8,742, including gift aid, and remains determined to hit his £10,000 target this year.