Dave 'The Running Telephone' Lock set to complete 25th consecutive London Marathon

With the TCS 2024 London Marathon coming up this Sunday, the excitement is building and, as the official Charity Partner of the Year, we’re counting down to what will be a very special day.

At Samaritans we know that sharing stories of people who have overcome some of their most difficult moments can inspire others to reach out for help and they don’t come much more inspiring than Dave ‘The Running Telephone’ Lock and his daughter Isabella.

Dave, our inspirational Team Samaritans Captain, previously contacted Samaritans for support while experiencing suicidal thoughts, before going on to become a listening volunteer. Very sadly, he lost his brother Steven to suicide last year – making this year’s marathon especially poignant.

This Sunday will be Dave’s 25th (!) consecutive London Marathon for Samaritans, helping to raise over £50,000 as well as a massive amount of awareness for the life-changing emotional support our volunteers provide over the past 30 years.

Reflecting on his experiences, Dave said: “I got to a point where I couldn't really see any point in carrying on and I seriously considered taking my own life. Now I realise my being here, being open, caring, compassionate, kind, is actually really important."

"When I called Samaritans, the voice at the other end was so kind, welcoming and warm and I immediately felt almost as though someone had put their arms around me as if to say, 'it's OK, you're in a safe place'.

"Back in 1999, I told myself I would run 25 consecutive London Marathons to support Samaritans. I'm so delighted that I'm nearly there.”

Isabella, running her first marathon, has also experienced the positive impact reaching out for support can have and is a huge advocate for breaking the stigma around suicide.

Dave continued: "Isabella has seen me running the London Marathon and she said she would love to run with me one day.

"Because of what happened last year with Steven, she said: 'It's time - I want to run the London Marathon with you in memory of Steven'.

"I will keep running for Samaritans as long as I'm physically able to. I feel so, so passionate that I don't want anyone to die by suicide and I'll do anything I can to stop that."

Look out for Dave and his iconic Running Telephone outfit, with Isabella, along the route of the course – as well as on the BBC’s build up to and coverage of the day.

And of course, a huge thank you to all our amazing runners who have run countless miles training, put time into their fundraising and shared their experiences, reminding us all of the importance hope can play in reminding us to believe in tomorrow. We also thank everyone who is supporting our runners and Team Samaritans, to help us continue to be here for anyone struggling to cope, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so we can save more lives.

Good luck for Sunday!

If you’ve been inspired by their stories, you can donate to Dave’s fundraising page, click here – and Isabella’s here.

To find fundraising pages for other Team Samaritans runners, click here.