Marathon fundraising efforts from Jewish community

The Jewish community was proudly represented among the thousands of runners in this year’s London Marathon, with Jewish participants raising funds for charities including Chai Cancer Care, Beit Halochem UK, Kisharon Langdon, Jewish Care and Camp Simcha.

Camp Simcha’s three marathon runners, Elliot Cowan, Dan Nachshon and Yossi Shebson collectively raised more than £16,500 for the charity’s work supporting Jewish families with a seriously ill child.

Completing the course in times ranging from 4.30 hours to 5.09 hours, all three said they were driven on by the amazing crowds.

Yossi, running his third marathon, ended up helping another runner who was close to collapse as he approached the last kilometre.

The former Camp Simcha volunteer, who now lives in Israel but flew into London specifically to run the marathon, said: “I ran about 100m supporting him and then another runner joined us holding him on the other side.”

The three of them crossed the finish line together, with Shebson saying: “I had originally hoped to run the race in under four hours, but it I was struggling with the heat and I could see people collapsing so I made a decision to slow down a little. At that point I just started to enjoy the run. It was still a personal best and I got to help someone at the end so it all worked out – and I am so happy to have raised so much for Camp Simcha.

Dan Nachshon was running his first marathon, raising funds for Camp Simcha as the charity is supporting his close friends.

He said: “When I won a place in the 2026 London Marathon, I knew I wanted to raise money to support my friends’ beautiful baby boy, Marley, who was sadly born with Tay-Sachs disease. I must admit, I wasn’t familiar with Camp Simcha as a charity previously, but when I spoke to Marleys’ parents and asked if there were any charities they would like me to try and raise money for, the choice was simple.”

He added: “I was astounded by the stories of the incredible support, love and also joy, that Camp Simcha had given to this amazing family and seeing the light that they bring to so many other families within our community.”

“Sunday was the most amazing day; the incredible crowds got me through it. I saw Yossi on the way and we had a little chat. The second half was pretty brutal, I had some cramps, seized up so had to stop and start but overall, just an amazing day… maybe I will do it all again next year if I get a place.”

Elliot, who was also running his first ever marathon, said: “It was a most amazing day. I absolutely loved every minute of it. The atmosphere was fantastic. I had strangers cheering me on. It felt like a real community spirit. What kept me going was knowing that my family and friends were watching me at various points…cheering me on and getting me to the finish line. “

“I wanted to set myself a personal challenge by running the London Marathon, especially as someone who has never been a runner before. At the same time, I wanted to do something meaningful by raising money for Camp Simcha. It’s an incredible charity that supports children and families going through very difficult times, and I’m proud to have been able to run and help make a difference.”

27-year old Alex Diamond from Borehamwood, who ran for JLGB and Chai Cancer Care in four hours and 45 minutes, raising £2,500 said: “JLGB has been a youth group I’ve been involved with all of my life and have been volunteering with for the past decade.

“They run amazing activities, provide incredible experiences and help instil vital skills in Jewish children all over the country, helping them to be their best selves. JLGB were also kind enough to allow 25% of donations to go to Chai Cancer Care. My Aunt Michelle sadly passed away from cancer in late 2024 and Chai have been there for my cousins and uncle ever since.”

26-year old Jake Murray, from St. Albans, achieved a time of just over six hours, raising £2,775 running for mental health charity CALM. Describing the day as “the best of my life”, Murray said: “The atmosphere was nothing like I’ve experienced before. I didn’t listen to a single song and let the roars of the crowd carry me all the way from the start to the finish, there were times where I really struggled, around the 28-32KM mark and each KM felt longer than the one before but I dug deep and pushed through the pain and finished with a smile on my face and a medal round my neck!”

Running for Magen David Adom UK were Ricki Stone (4:34:34), Zac Barnett (4:00:00),  Adam Biton (4:18:52) and Oliver Morley (4:07:53).

Marli Stein and Kelly Stanton ran for Beit Halochem in just over six and four hours respectively, raising more than £8,000 collectively with Peter Arbeid who achieved a very respectable three hours and twenty minutes.

38 year-old Josh Greibach ran the marathon for Norwood in 05:02:17, raising £4,121 for “a charity that does incredible work supporting vulnerable children and families, helping them build brighter futures when they need support the most.”

He said: “A few months ago, if you’d told me I’d be running a marathon, I would have laughed. I genuinely hated running. I’d try the occasional 5K, get bored halfway through, and wonder why anyone would willingly do this to themselves. But something changed. What once felt impossible slowly started to feel achievable.”

Also running for Norwood was 25 year-old Samuel Gidman, who achieved a time of 03:45:25, raising £1,071. He said: “This is a cause very close to home. In 2016, aged 6, my younger brother was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. This did not come as a huge surprise to our family, who had already been living very different lives for years in order to support his needs. My brother taught me what true struggle and resilience looked like, as he worked everyday to complete even seemingly basic tasks, and to fit into a world built to exclude him.

“Both me and then later my sister were required to become young carers, and my parents sacrificed enormously to ensure Josh could be given a fair chance at life. It was a full time job for us all. Josh was lucky enough to have a support system around him. But, there are many who do not have this luxury and for these people, Norwood are their lifeline to allow them not just to survive, but also to thrive. I will be thinking of my brother and all those in Norwood’s care through the training and the marathon.”

Norwood marketing team member Caleb Ford finished his first marathon in 04:57:23, raising £3,553 in the process. Caleb said: “Watching from the sidelines in 2025 inspired me to make it happen (despite having never been on a run before!) and so one optimistic 20-minute run later, I was committed.”

Other runners for the charity included 29 year-old Harry Salter (04:39:08, raising £3,817); husband and wife team David and Esther Schloss who ran in tandem, (04:57:50, raising £5,734) and 21 years-old Naftali Levene, completing his fourth marathon in 02:59:05, raising £2,669.

Five inspiring runners took on the marathon in support of Kisharon Langdon, collectively raising more than £40,000 to help transform the lives of people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

Avi Cymerman, James Green, Josh Mirwis, Alex Ross and Rachel Wolman each crossed the finish line with a shared goal: to make a meaningful difference for the individuals and families supported by the charity.

Green raised £25,000 and completed the race in 3 hours and 37 minutes, closely followed by Josh Mirwis with a time of 3 hours and 44 minutes.

Runner Rachel Wolman, who signed up after meeting a young boy, Yehuda, while visiting the Wohl Campus of Kisharon Noé School, a Loftus Learning Centre, said: “When training got tough, I thought about Yehuda and the families supported by the charity – it gave me the strength to keep going”, describing how the cause made every mile more meaningful.

Avi Cymerman, whose uncle Eli is supported by the charity’s services, said: “It was an amazing experience. Thank you for the opportunity.”

A number of runners for World Jewish Relief were inspired to take part because the organisation saved their family members on the Kindertransport. Between nine of them, they raised an incredible £51,000.

Ricky Kruger, Talia Dadon, Talya Chemel, and Josh Kaplan all flew in from South Africa to run on behalf of the Malki Foundation UK.

They ran to raise vital funds to empower the parents of children with severe disabilities, with all four runners completing the marathon in impressive times and raising more than £8,000.

Team Jewish Care and Jami saw 11 runners run tackle the marathon miles with meaning, with Solly Sperber also wearing his heart on his sleeve, having designed the shirts they would all wear.

He said, “I grew up watching my dad run marathons, so it has always felt like a real benchmark of personal challenge. There is something quite powerful about the idea that when you finish, you can say “I did that”.

Jonathan Weissbart said: “My mother-in-law enjoys going to Jewish Care’s Singing for Memory group and really enjoyed the Singing for Joy event recently, so we have a strong personal connection.”

Gabriella Wilton, who ran in memory of her grandmother, cared for at Jewish Care’s Anita Dorfman House care home at Sandringham, said: “It was a privilege to be able to combine my passion for running with raising money for such an incredible cause. My Grandma had so much love to give, I took her quick wit and humour with me to the finish line.”

Andrew Casher said: “Jewish Care provided invaluable advice and practical support to our family as both sets of grandparents grew older. It’s something no one is ever fully prepared for, and having the organisation as a trusted sounding board made a real difference.

24-year-old Tova Liebert had been inspired to run after discovering the positive impact of running on her own wellbeing.

“Running has really lifted me and helped me through some really challenging times.”

She chose to support Jewish Care, a charity close to her heart, after witnessing its mental health services in action while her aunt was cared for at Sidney Corob House, a Jewish Care home for those with enduring mental health needs.

“The care and dedication at Sidney Corob House care home is truly humbling. My family and myself are so eternally grateful to Jewish Care for the lifesaving services they provide.”

Running his second London Marathon, twenty-six-year-old Jake Russell said: “My training was going well for the first eight weeks and then I got injured and had been managing the pain for the past three weeks. So, I had been juggling work and injury with training, which was always going to be a challenge.”

On top of this, he also got stuck in Israel for two weeks when the war with Iran broke out. “Running when there were sirens and rockets was also a challenge,” he said, adding: “I think Jami, like Jewish Care, is one of the most important pillars of the Jewish community in the UK. It also plays an important part in the community through Head Room café in Golders Green.”

Debby, a mental health nurse working in a CAMHS service within the NHS, also took on her first London Marathon to support JAMI, saying: “There was no better way to combine my passion for running and mental health together.”

Running for Chai Cancer Care were Jamie Davila, Miranda Shemen, Yoni Bartal, Noah Bezalel who collectively raised more than £38,000.

Also taking part, raising funds for Jewish Blind & Disabled, were its director of housing management and community services, Aidan McCarthy, and supporter Marcus Jacobs.

Sammy Maimon, Max Compton, Paul Leon, and Jake Sanders each took on the 26.2-mile challenge inspired by personal connections to the work of Emunah, collectively raising more than £14k.

Maimon completed the marathon in 4 hours and 20 minutes, dedicating his run to the memory of close friend, Aryeh Zeiring, who died defending Israel.

Leon, who completed the marathon in 5 hours and 46 minutes, said: “Emunah’s work is something I feel deeply connected to. My sister and her family live in Israel, which makes the charity’s mission feel very close to home.

“Since the events of 7 October 2023, many families have been devastated, leaving children in urgent need of care and stability. Training for this marathon has been demanding, but knowing each mile represents support for these children has given the challenge real meaning.”