Big Ben and 'Babs' army join London Marathon runners raising £3m for dementia

Big Ben and EastEnders co-stars of actress Dame Barbara Windsor, aka Babs, are among the London Marathon runners who collectively raised over £3 million for dementia research.

More than 2,000 people ran the 26.2 mile race on Sunday 28 April for the Dementia Revolution - the official Charity of the Year for the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon.

Dame Barbara Windsor, who has been diagnosed with dementia, watched the race as her husband Scott Mitchell and her former EastEnders castmates including Jake Wood, Adam Woodyatt and Natalie Cassidy, finished the marathon in her honour.

Dame Barbara’s runners were soon dubbed Barbara’s Revolutionaries and raised £133,000 between them.

Scott Mitchell, Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband, said: “Since Barbara’s diagnosis, I have often felt so powerless because there is no cure for dementia.

"But running the Virgin Money London Marathon for the Dementia Revolution has given me an incredible opportunity to make a stand against dementia.

"The experience has been one of the proudest and most humbling experiences of my life."

Other Dementia Revolutionaries included radio presenter Chris Evans, as well as 63-year-old Harry Cullen and 78-year-old multi-marathon runner Malcolm Brookes who both live with dementia.

Big Ben running for dementia has trouble crossing finish line

Big Ben runner, Lukas Bates, was among those running for dementia research.

A video of Mr Bates struggling to cross the finish the line of the London Marathon because of the height of his Big Ben outfit soon went viral.

Mr Bates has so far raised over £5,000.

Lukas Bates had attempted to set a world record as the faster runner dressed as a landmark building.

He said: “I wanted to create a buzz around the Dementia Revolution, as it’s a cause so close to my heart. I’ve had two grandparents with Alzheimer’s disease, and I thought it would be a good way to get people to raise money.

“So many people have sponsored me since I finished the race and saw the footage of me crossing the finishing line. I didn’t think I was going to have a problem, but I just couldn’t get through it.”

Eileen Noble, aged 84, was the oldest female runner at the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon, finishing with a time of 06:28:07. In total, more than 41,000 people ran this year's marathon.

Congratulations to Eileen Noble!

The 84 year-old was the oldest female runner at this year's Virgin Money London Marathon finishing in an amazing time of 06:28:07!#LondonMarathon #ThanksaBillion pic.twitter.com/XW4JyLss8m

— Virgin Money London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) 28 April 2019

There are almost one million people in the UK living with dementia, yet there are currently no treatments to slow, stop or prevent the diseases, like Alzheimer’s, that cause it.

Dementia research has historically been chronically underfunded – only 0.3 per cent of its overall cost is invested in research currently. It’s hoped the research funded by the Dementia Revolution will lead the charge towards a cure.

To help defeat dementia, donate today by visiting www.alzheimersresearchuk.org or calling 0300 111 5555.