Editors to run Virgin London Marathon for Oxfam

Tom Smith and bassist Russell Leetch from the band Editors are among a host of celebrities running the Virgin London Marathon for Oxfam. The band are long-term supporters of the charity, and headlined the launch shows of Oxfam's nationwide music festival Oxjam in 2009. 

Tom Smith said: 'We're over the moon to be able to run the London Marathon for Oxfam. It's a great way to continue our relationship with them after campaigning together on climate change and being a part of their Oxjam music festival over the last few years. Their life-saving work is an amazing thing and we're proud to be able to help them out by running the marathon and raising more money'. 

All the money raised by Oxfam marathon runners in 2011 is funding projects based in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka and Honduras. These projects will support people who are trying to work their way out of poverty, through farming or running small businesses. Oxfam will give financial investment, training and business advice, which has the potential to transform people's lives both now and for generations to come. 

Along with Tom and Russell, a team brought together by the fashion and portrait photographer Rankin will be running the Virgin London Marathon for Oxfam. Known as the Oxglam Squad, the team will include top models David Gandy and Agyness Deyn, designer Henry Holland, actress Emma Pierson and will be led by Rankin's model wife Tuuli. 

As well as the London Marathon, runners can apply for Oxfam places in many of the big races in the running calendar from marathons to half marathons to 10k runs, and can choose to fundraise for Oxfam in any running event. For more information about Oxfam and running see: www.oxfam.org.uk/running 

To sponsor Tom and Russell's marathon effort see their Virgin Money Page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Editors