York Foodbank runners take on Yorkshire Marathon

York Foodbank’s 2025 Yorkshire Marathon Relay Team:

Six Churches, One Team:

No one in York should have to face poverty. That’s the message behind a special team of runners taking on the Yorkshire Marathon on Sunday 18 October, raising funds and awareness for York Foodbank.

Six runners, each representing one of the churches hosting York Foodbank’s weekly distribution points, will join forces to complete the 26.2-mile marathon relay under the banner of No One Left Behind.

York Foodbank Manager Adam Raffell said:

“Their challenge is a beautiful illustration of what we’re seeking to achieve. No single organisation can end poverty alone. It takes a whole city working together: the council, churches, charities and communities, each playing their part. Our real ambition is a city where fewer people need emergency food, and ultimately where no one is left behind.”

Three other runners will take on the Yorkshire 10 Mile for York Foodbank, while the Foodbank’s manager will run the full marathon.

York Foodbank operates six church-based distribution centres across the city, providing emergency food, practical support and a warm welcome to people facing financial crisis. During 2025–26, the charity distributed 8,123 three-day emergency food parcels, made possible thanks to the generosity of local people.

But its ambitions extend beyond emergency food. Together with Trussell and other partners, York Foodbank is working to tackle the underlying causes of hardship and ultimately end the need for food banks.

No One Left Behind, an initiative of church unity network One Voice York, brings together churches, charities and community partners with a shared ambition to reduce poverty in York over the next decade.

The relay follows the recent civic launch of two reports produced through the initiative: the Understanding York Place Review and a mapping of church social action, including York Foodbank’s work. Together, they provide new evidence to help inform the city’s response to poverty.

Alison Dawson, No One Left Behind Project Director, commented:

“The No One Left Behind project is working with churches across York to help them play their part in reducing poverty here. I’m so pleased that York Foodbank are part of this initiative, showing in practice how charities and churches can work together to make a difference.”

Funds raised will support York Foodbank’s emergency food provision, advice, practical assistance and wider work with churches and partners to tackle poverty.

York Foodbank also has a message for those planning to watch the marathon:

“We’d love to encourage people to come out on Sunday 18 October and support the Yorkshire Marathon. Building on the extraordinary example of Jane Tomlinson, it’s a wonderful celebration of thousands of runners taking on challenges for causes close to their hearts. Please give our York Foodbank runners a shout as they go past, alongside everyone raising money for so many worthwhile causes.”

To sponsor York Foodbank’s marathon runners, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/yorkfoodbank 

Find out more: www.york.foodbank.org.uk | www.onevoiceyork.org.uk/nolb

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