Philanthropy: Charity Marathons and Fundraising
In November 2025, I ran 26.2 miles through New York City's five boroughs at the TCS New York City Marathon, raising $3,000 for Team For Kids, a charity that gets young people moving through running. This is the real story behind that finish line: the training, the doubt, the mental tricks that got me through mile twenty, and why I'd do it all again tomorrow. If you're chasing your first marathon, or a cause worth lacing up for, start here.
Empowering Through Education and Sports
At the heart of my philanthropic endeavors lies an ardent passion for education and sports, recognizing them as instrumental pathways to nurturing well-rounded and disciplined individuals. My commitment to philanthropy has led me to work closely with over 50 charitable organisations, including prominent names such as the ACLT, Prince's Trust, CLIC Sargent, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), Caudwell Children, and the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.
During my tenure as a marketing manager in the bustling city, I initiated a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) marketing activation. This innovative endeavor sought to make highly sought-after luxury products and unparalleled experiences accessible to those who often had little or no means. I fostered partnerships with esteemed names like Mappin & Webb, Rolex, Vivienne Westwood, and Charles Saatchi, offering these coveted offerings as prestigious auction prizes at gala dinners. This collective effort raised an impressive sum of over £1,000,000 for charitable causes between the years 2008 and 2013.
My dedication to philanthropy has not waned; it has evolved and expanded. One significant mission I have undertaken is to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors across the globe. This marathon journey is not only a personal challenge but also a means to benefit a range of charitable causes. The beneficiaries of these marathons include the ACLT, Sickle Cell Society, Crohn's and Colitis, Prostate Cancer awareness, and Girls 4 Goals, which empowers young girls through sports and education.
I remain committed to using the power of philanthropy to transform lives, enhance access to education, and promote the values of discipline and well-rounded growth. It is a journey that reflects my unwavering belief in the potential for positive change and empowerment through charitable action.
Many of these partnerships, from Mappin & Webb to Vivienne Westwood, grew out of my brand partnerships work. For the training and race-day story, see My Passions.
In 2025, one leg of that journey took me to the London Marathon, where I ran not just as a competitor but as a passionate advocate for the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT). It wasn't just a race for me, it was a personal mission. People from Black and mixed heritage backgrounds face dramatically lower odds of finding a matching stem cell or blood donor, and every mile I ran was my way of shining a light on that gap and helping to close it.
Six Marathons, Six Continents, One Big Impact: Mustafa Akindele's Global Running Challenge
My name is Mustafa Akindele, and I'm on a multi-year mission: six marathons, six continents, one big impact. Alongside that six-continent challenge, I'm working towards completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, a goal I expect to build towards over the coming years rather than tick off in one.
This year's calendar includes the Boston Marathon and the Tokyo Marathon, both Abbott Majors, alongside our very own London Marathon and further races that will carry me across six continents in total. But this was never just about chasing personal bests or medals. Every mile is run in support of two causes close to my heart: raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer and for Crohn's & Colitis UK.
These conditions touch countless lives, often quietly, and I want every stride of this challenge, this year and in the years to come, to help change that. If you'd like to run alongside me, even virtually, your support counts. Every cheer, every share and every donation brings us closer to making a real difference, together.
Let's run. Let's raise awareness. Let's make an impact.