Getting the word out about your London Marathon fundraising!

Never underestimate the power of encouraging local media to boost your fundraising. Sharing your story in news outlets raises awareness of The Brain Tumour Charity and the need to accelerate cures for brain tumours. It can also create a buzz around your fundraising. This might mean more people attend your event or choose to donate to your fundraising page.

Journalists – especially those working for local news organisations – are always looking for compelling stories and events in their area. They’re especially interested in personal stories, quirky fundraising events and stories that feature prominent local figures or celebrities.

Local Radio

Try your nearest BBC Radio and other local commercial stations.

Local magazines and newspapers

Some news platforms allow you to upload your own story and images.

Don’t forget parish newsletters or local council noticeboards too.

Sharing your fundraising page or Facebook event on social media is simple.

Many organisations offer matched-funding for employees who are raising funds for a good cause – so don’t forget to ask.

Local coffee shops or businesses

Many local businesses will let you put up posters promoting your fundraising if you ask them nicely.

Writing an attention grabbing press release

A press release is an easy way to tell a journalist your story and provide them with all the information they need to know. You can download our template press releases below, with some tips on how to personalise yours to make it stand out.

Get help with creating a press release

PR Template – DOCX

A simple Word document template that you can personalise to create a press release to send to your local media before and/or after The London Marathon to raise the profile of your fundraising.

Getting started

Aim to email a press release out at least a week in advance of the event. Then follow up with a separate post-event release as soon as possible after the event has taken place.

If it’s a weekly or monthly publication, do check the day and time of their deadlines.

Be proactive and approach a number of different publications. Find out who to send the press release to by searching for their email details online, or by contacting The Brain Tumour Charity’s press office for assistance: pressoffice@thebraintumourcharity.org

Make sure you keep a record of where you sent the press release so you can look out for any coverage.

Writing your press release

Use one of our press release templates, which will guide you through the information and statistics to include.

Cover the who, what, where, when, why and how.

Focus on a key message, such as your fundraising activity, and make sure this is clearly stated at the beginning.

Include relevant quotes (which can be from you) about why you’re fundraising and what it means to you.

Proofread your press release and check there aren’t any spelling mistakes or grammar errors.

Try to keep your press release to one page if possible.

Provide your contact details so the journalist can get back to you with any questions or to arrange an interview.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Including an eye-catching photo can improve your chances of getting coverage, and let the journalist know you can provide more images (if you’re able to).

Make sure the image reflects the press release and is good quality rather than a screenshot or thumbnail image. If it’s for a running event, good photos could be of you training or of the person who’s inspired you to run. If it’s after the race, you could also include action shots from the event or celebrating afterwards.

Make sure your photo is in focus and is taken close enough to identify the people in it and what’s happening. Don’t forget to wear our charity top or have our branding somewhere in the picture, as this will help raise awareness of The Charity.

Include a caption for the photo that has a left-to-right description of who is in the image and, if appropriate, where and when the image was taken.
Most importantly, make sure you have permission to publish the photos if they’re not yours and that you have the consent of everybody in the photo to feature it in a press release.

When photographing children, please be certain that their parents or guardians are aware that you’re taking their picture and where it will be going. They have the right to ask you to delete it if you’ve taken it without permission.