From UKGov/
British and Canadian diplomats mark the 40th Anniversary of the ‘Terry Fox Marathon of Hope’ by running the equivalent of the length of the UK and back. In order to mark the 40th Anniversary of the Terry Fox ‘Marathon of Hope’ diplomats and their families from the Canadian High Commission in London, and the UK High Commission and Consulates-General in Canada are teaming up to ‘run’ from the most southerly point in England to the most northern part in Scotland and back again – a total of 1940km
This year’s event, called #DiploTeamForTerry, will be taking place virtually with participants asked to contribute kilometres towards a collective goal in whatever way they can (running, walking, cycling etc).
How will it work?
- On September 20th Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, Janice Charette will signal the start of the marathon with team Canada covering the first part of the marathon from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in Scotland, a distance of 970km in a straight line
- The UK diplomatic team in Canada will then make the virtual return journey back to Land’s End in Cornwall, England, with UK High Commissioner to Canada, Susan le Jeune d’Allegeershecque, signalling the end of the diplomatic marathon.
Why are we doing this?
- Prompted by the 40th anniversary, 2020 marks the return of the ‘Terry Fox Run UK’ which last saw an event 13 years ago in 2007. The event is organised by Canadian ex-patriots in the UK.
- This year there is a new partnership between the Terry Fox Research Institute in Canada and the Institute of Cancer Research in the UK, a world-class cancer research organisation with academic excellence in cancer discoveries for more than 100 years.
- The #DiploTeamForTerry will raise funds for both Institutes. The UK team aims to raise $2000CAD for the UK Institute of Cancer Research
British Army and Canadian Armed Forces team up:
In addition to the joint diplomatic effort, Canadian Armed Forces at CFB Suffield, Alberta, and UK Military personnel co-located at the British Armed Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), are joining forces to contribute an additional 1600km around Suffield – the equivalent distance from their base to Thunder Bay, Ontario where Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope ended 40 years ago. This unique event in which military personnel from both countries will combine their efforts for charity is taking place on 18th September.
Diplomats, CAF, the British Army, family and friends aim to cover a combined total distance of over 3,450km.
Fred Fox, brother of Terry Fox and Manager of Supporter Relations at the Terry Fox Foundation:
It is wonderful to welcome the Terry Fox Run in UK as a country-wide Run for the first time, albeit virtual. We are delighted that it has inspired the “Diplo-Team for Terry” virtual Terry Fox Run between the Canadian High Commission in London and the UK in Canada network. Our family and the Terry Fox Foundation are so