Put the fun into fundraising with these running, cycling and boating activities for 2025
Cambridge is set to become a hub of heartwarming community spirit and high-energy fundraising in 2025, with a packed calendar of charity events that combine giving back with plenty of fun. From adrenaline-pumping fitness challenges to family-friendly fairs and elegant galas, there’s no shortage of great opportunities to support good causes while making lasting memories. Whether you’re lacing up your running shoes, cycling for miles or attending a themed evening, these events promise to raise vital funds for local and national charities while strengthening the bonds within our vibrant city.
The TTP Cambridge Half Marathon (9 March) was founded in 2012, although earlier races were held in the 80s and 90s from Parker’s Piece, comprising two laps out to Trumpington and Grantchester. After some changes, the current route is famously ‘fast and flat’, starting at Victoria Avenue beside Midsummer Common and touring the city across 13.1 miles. Runners traverse the historic streets, run through Jesus, Trinity, King’s and St John’s Colleges, zigzag along the River Cam and loop down to Grantchester before heading back.
Some 14,000 entrants are expected this year, raising funds for a variety of charities including Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Alzheimer’s Research, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support to name just a few. Held in March, it involves months of gruelling winter training, so if you’re not match fit, it’s definitely one to watch. More than £940,000 was raised in 2024, with this year’s target at £1 million.
Another well-known city race is the Cambridge Race for Life (29 June) – a 5k event around the city’s streets starting at Jesus Green, which is organised by Cancer Research UK. “We would love for as many people as possible across Cambridgeshire and beyond to join us at the Race for Life,” says Patrick Keely, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson in the east of England. “There is an event for everyone – and we mean everyone. Our events are strictly non-competitive, so everyone can have a go and love every minute. There’s no pressure to finish in a certain time, just give it what you can. Lace up and join in!”
Since beginning in 1994, more than ten million people have taken part in Race for Life, funding 30 years of hope and progress.
Chariots of Fire
The city’s prestigious Chariots of Fire event (21 September) is a closed-road relay race comprising two-mile laps of the city’s streets – including King’s and Queens’ Colleges, as well as King’s Parade. Law firm HCR Hewitsons has teamed up with specialists Run Through to organise the 2025 race, aiming to raise £50,000 for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. The race follows in the heroic footsteps of the famous film Chariots of Fire, which tells the story of Cambridge runner Harold Abrahams and his bid to win a gold medal in the 1924 Olympics. It includes the iconic scene of the race around Trinity College Great Court. Music from the film will be played on the day.
The annual Town and Gown race (5 October), sponsored by Bidwells, raises money for muscular dystrophy. Beginning at the Event Village found on Midsummer Common, the 10k route winds along the Backs and over the Cam into Silver Street, via King’s Parade, then along the Cam to Stourbridge Common and back. It attracts around 3,000 runners, including university students, corporate teams and club runners looking to acquire a personal best. There’s even a Junior 3k race for nine- to 15-year-olds, just ahead of the 10k.
Village races include the Cambourne 10k (13 April), Bourn to Run 10k (15 September) and Grantchester Charity 10k (28 September). These events raise funds for local charities such as Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and Maggie’s; in some cases, there’s a family 3k option too.
If all this athleticism is making you feel a bit weary, the Bridge the Gap charity walk (14 September) is a family-friendly annual event at a slower pace. Since 2001, it has raised more than £630,000 for local charities such as Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill. This year brings a new route, starting from Parker’s Piece and weaving through the college gardens of Christ’s, St John’s, Lucy Cavendish, Westminster, Jesus and Emmanuel.
Psyched for cycling?
Held the same weekend as the TTP Half Marathon, the Cambridgeshire Classic (8 March) is a sportive-style cycling race in support of Alzheimer’s Research. The race features three routes of varying lengths (127k, 94k and 66k), but all of them start at Huntingdon Racecourse and pass through Brampton Wood, travelling on quiet country lanes through farmland and forestry. Participants enjoy scenic rides through Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and, on the longer race, into parts of Northamptonshire. There’s free entry when you pledge £100 to Alzheimer’s Research.
New for this year, the Cambridge Cancer Help Cycle (27 April) starts at the centre next to Scotsdales in Great Shelford. It offers a choice of 20- and 60-mile scenic routes through local countryside and villages. The event includes fully signposted routes, refreshment stops and support services. There are two coffee stops on the long route, plus refreshments at the start and finish for both distances. You will also receive a finisher’s bag of goodies on completion. Organised by this small local charity, all funds raised will go towards the centre, supporting those affected by a cancer diagnosis.
…and dragon boats
Water-based fundraising in Cambridge includes the city’s Dragon Boat Festival (13 September) held on the Cam at Fen Ditton, in aid of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. Teams paddle 30ft dragon boats over a 200m course, with food stalls, bankside entertainment and other festival fun. This year marks the 19th festival, and more than 40 teams are expected to compete. Up to ten people paddle each boat, with a drummer at the front beating time. No previous experience is required, just plenty of team spirit.
Addenbrooke’s charity celebrates its 30th year
Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT)
Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust is celebrating its 30th year, having raised more than £7 million in 2025 to fund equipment and research, as well as supporting new Cancer Research and Children’s Hospitals. “We’d like to thank all of our incredible fundraisers,” says director of fundraising, Claire Billing.
Meet the fundraisers
Emmi-Lou Hanney
Emmi-Lou Hanney, from Colchester in Essex, launched a Just Giving page to raise money for Addenbrooke’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) after her brother Tyson was admitted to Addenbrooke’s and put in an induced coma after contracting meningitis, which led to sepsis. Sadly, this resulted in Tyson having his right leg amputated.
Emmi-Lou’s page has raised more than £40,000 for the PICU ward at Addenbrooke’s. “The family are beyond grateful,” she says. “We can’t put into words how amazing the team has been. They really are angels on earth.”
Annie West
Annie West and her team of midwives from the Rosie maternity hospital took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in 2024. “We reached the summit of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, bringing our grand fundraising total to more than £8,000.
“We love fundraising for ACT,” says senior midwife Annie. “It’s a great team-bonding experience, and so inspiring too. We’ve had ultrasound scanners and cots bought for us, so we can see directly how the charity money is being spent within the hospital.”
Joyce Cripps
Joyce Cripps, from Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire, has been fundraising for more than 40 years, raising more than £104,000 for various charities. When her daughter Julie underwent a life-saving liver transplant at Addenbrooke’s, Joyce and husband John pledged to dedicate their lives to raising money for ACT.
“So far, we’ve raised more than £27,000 for liver transplant research by organising tribute nights throughout the year,” she says. “As a family, words aren’t enough to express our gratitude to the wonderful team who saved Julie’s life. Realising the difference my fundraising has made to other patients’ lives means this tireless work will continue to my days’ end!”
Margaret Seaman
Margaret Seaman, a 95-year-old great-great-grandmother from Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk has raised more than £170,000 with her amazing knitted creations. Her inspiring installations include Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile from the 70s and a knitted scale model of Sandringham in Norfolk.
“The highlight for me was a private audience with the late Queen, after my knitted Sandringham was displayed in the ballroom there. It was extremely unexpected. I never dreamt she would come and see it, but she stayed for about 15 minutes. She was very friendly and genuine, it was lovely.”
As well as winning ITV Anglia’s Pride of Britain award for the eastern region, Margaret has been awarded a British Empire Medal, having raised an impressive £30,000 for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital in just under a year.
