COMMUNICARE is challenging runners and walkers to sign up for the 2027 ABP Southampton Marathon in fancy dress this month to help it raise invaluable funds and awareness (October 2026).
The charity wants to hear from people with imaginative costume ideas to rival or beat Team Communicare’s memorable marathon outfits from previous years to help vulnerable Southampton residents.
Annie Clewlow, Communicare Manager, explains: “We’re looking for runners and walkers who are prepared to have some fun, turn heads and help fundraise for us at the same time.
“Over the years our supporters have taken on all sorts of creative challenges, from dressing as the Flintstones last year and pushing a stone-age car, to running as a court jester while juggling, and even playing a game of chess while completing the course.
“Now we’d love people to see if they can go one better. Could you run as a giant teapot partnered by a slice of cake? We’re all about getting together and boosting social connectedness while enjoying a cuppa, so that would really connect with us!
“Maybe you could invent a superhero character that is on a mission to banish loneliness in our city or you could come up with something nobody has ever seen before? We’re inviting people to share their ideas with us and join Team Communicare in April 2027 for what promises to be another unforgettable event.
“By taking part in the Southampton ABP Marathon for us you will be helping us continue our important work. You’ll not only be raising invaluable funds for us, but you will also be helping raise awareness for us too and highlighting our need for more volunteers to join us.
“There’s growing UK and international research showing how seriously loneliness harms physical and mental health. It’s even been linked to significantly higher risks of early mortality, heart disease, stroke and more, and it impacts on all age groups in society.
“Every pound raised helps us continue boosting social connectedness throughout Southampton through befriending services, community support, transport and shopping assistance. Whether you run, walk or take part in an attention-grabbing costume, you’ll be helping us support the people who need us the most.”
Communicare has 15 charity places available for the ABP Southampton Marathon on Sunday, April 11, 2027. Participants can choose from the 5K, 10K, half marathon or full marathon and are encouraged to fundraise while showcasing their creativity.
The challenge follows previous Team Communicare entries which have included four runners tackling the 2026 event dressed as the Flintstones alongside their handmade stone-age car.
Supporter and regular fundraiser Kevin Sawers, who was one of the Flintstones along with Nicci Bolinger, Nick Willson and Hannah Willson, has also previously completed the marathon challenge dressed as a court jester while juggling and, in 2025, playing chess while running.
Annie adds: “We’ve also had others who have run as a bear and as our Communibear, and we find those in fancy dress really attract attention for us and that helps raise awareness for what we do, as well as encouraging sponsorship and donations. If you’re not keen on fancy dress, then we’d still love to hear from you, as we need to fill our 15 places to help boost our fundraising. It’s never been more challenging financially for small, community charities like us than it is now and we’re a lifeline to those we help.”
Communicare’s services are staffed by its volunteers, known as Communiteers, who give their time freely.
The charity is currently supporting around 800 individuals/families through tasks including, befriending, transport for appointments and assistance with shopping and always needs more donations and volunteers to help with its work.
The services it provides are free to users, although beneficiaries are invited to make a donation if they can, and Communiteers are offered expenses.
Participants joining Team Communicare in 2027 will receive one of the charity’s official event places, a Communicare technical fabric T-shirt to wear on race day, fundraising support and advice, and plenty of support and encouragement throughout their training and on the day itself.
In addition, ABP Southampton Marathon organisers provide all charity runners and walkers with a free finishers’ T-shirt. Non-charity participants are charged £20 for this item.
Anyone interested in joining Team Communicare for the 2027 ABP Southampton Marathon should contact the charity on 023 8250 0050 or email events@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.
For more information visit www.communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.
