Irish Life Dublin Marathon
Run for charity
Applying for a charity place
To get started, choose your preferred cause from the official charity listing and hit ‘enquire’ to apply to join their team.
How does it work?
Applying for a place through the event’s Official Charity Programme, in partnership with realbuzz, means if your application is successful, you’ll get a guaranteed entry into the event. You just need to reach the minimum fundraising target requested by your charity, with support and guidance all the way through your charity running journey. Each charity has a certain amount of places on their team, which varies by charity, and places are often in high demand so the charity will vet your application. They will get in touch directly to keep you updated on your application.
Irish Life Dublin Marathon
Run for charity



Select your favourite charity
Click the enquire link and complete the form.
Your charity will be in touch
Your charity will be in touch asap using the contact details you supplied in your application.
Start fundraising
Discuss your fundraising target with your charity and start raising money for a great cause!
Official Charity Partners
You can only have one ‘live’ application to a charity at any one time. Please look through the listings and choose a charity to support that is close to your heart. If your application is rejected you are able to submit an application to another charity or you can withdraw your application at any time by contacting Realbuzz Group and submit a new application to a different charity.
Yes! Even if you already have your own place in the KBC Dublin Marathon, our partner charities would love to have you on their fundraising teams. As an own place runner your charity will still provide you with all the support you need. As you already have a place in the event, this won’t use up one of the charity’s limited guaranteed entries, meaning your charity can add even more runners to their fundraising team. To apply as an own place fundraiser, be sure to select ‘Yes, I have my own entry’ on the ‘Do you already have an entry in this event?’ step of the application form.
All of our official charity partners of the KBC Dublin Marathon have guaranteed entries in the event for fundraisers. If you already have your own place in the event, you are welcome to raise money for any charity of your choice. Charities who are not an official charity partner will not be able to offer you a guaranteed entry in the event if you do not already have one.
Alternatively you can ask your charity to get in touch here to learn more about how they can become involved in the official charity programme.
As well as including the personal information your charity will need to get in touch with you, your application will also include some information about your fundraising.
Remember, charities will receive a high volume of applications and will not be able to offer places to everyone. You are more likely to be accepted based on the quality of your application, specifically ‘Why do you want to participate?’ and ‘How will you meet your fundraising goal?’ so please think carefully about your answers.
Charity place runners do not have their own entry in the race (via the ballot) and so have been allocated one of the charity’s guaranteed entries by agreeing to a minimum fundraising target. Own place runners have secured an entry via the ballot and do not need any help from the charity to secure a place in the event.
All charities set their own fundraising amounts for the KBC Dublin Marathon, so minimum fundraising targets will vary. Once your application has been submitted, your charity will be in touch to discuss your fundraising target with you before accepting your application. Don’t worry though - every official charity partner will provide you with all of the support and resources you’ll need to easily reach your fundraising target. If you want to find out more about a charity’s fundraising target, please use the contact details on each of the listings to request more information directly from the charity you wish to support.
This will vary between charities, as a charity will close their applications once they have filled their limited amount of guaranteed charity places. To avoid disappointment, make sure you submit your application as early as possible.
As a fundraiser you’ll receive support from your charity throughout your KBC Dublin Marathon journey, including during your training, on race day itself and after the race. The support you receive will vary from charity to charity, but may include training plans, fundraising resources, regular updates from your charity, and personalised running t-shirts. As a fundraiser your charity will be hugely grateful for your vital contribution to their cause, so you’ll find that they will help you however they can.

Irish Cancer Society
- Email Ciara Dunne:cdunne@irishcancer.ie
- Call us on: +353 1 231 6658
As the largest voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland we are working towards a cancer free future. Our free services, support and advice, ensure that cancer patients and their families are not alone at a time they need it most. The Irish Cancer Society receives only 3% of its funding from the Government. We rely on the support and generosity of the Irish public.
Enquire
Irish Heart Foundation
- Email Anne Riordan:hello@irishheart.ie
Every year in Ireland almost 9,000 people die from heart disease and stroke. Join team Irish Heart and help support people in Ireland living with a heart condition or the effects of stroke.
Enquire
American Cancer Society - DetermiNation
- Email Ramon Bermo:ramon.bermo@cancer.org
Together, we’ll tackle every course, rally every community, and stay absolutely relentless in the fight against cancer. Join DetermiNation and Make Your Miles More Meaningful
Enquire
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
- Email Yseult Quinn:yseult.quinn@alzheimer.ie
Another 30 people will be diagnosed with dementia in Ireland today! Join TeamASI and help us to continue to support people living with dementia in Ireland. See more at alzheimer.ie.
Enquire
Cliona's Foundation
- Email Phil Deegan: phil@clionas.ie
Cliona's provides direct financial support to families of children with a life limiting condition to help with the significant non medical costs of caring for their child which includes accommodation, travel, car parking and many more hidden costs.
Enquire
Cancer Fund For Children
- Email Alex Murdock: alex@cancerfundforchildren.com
Cancer Fund for Children provides practical and emotional support to children and young people, and their families, impacted by cancer across the island of Ireland. We work to ensure no child has to face
Enquire
Pieta
- Email Gerard Tiernan: community@pieta.ie
Our Vision is A world where suicide, self-harm and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance. Our Mission is to support people and communities in crisis by providing freely accessible, professional services to all. We treat everyone with respect and dignity. We are rooted in compassion and care. We generate and nourish hope. We empower!
Enquire
WellChild
- Email Claire: challenge@wellchild.org.uk
WellChild is helping the thousands of children and young people across the UK with serious health needs, giving them the best chance to thrive – properly supported at home, with their families.
Enquire
Brain Tumour Research
- Email Carol Robertson: carol@braintumourresearch.org
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Help us in our vision to find a cure.
Enquire
Action Mental Health
- Email our Fundraising Team: fundraising@amh.org.uk
Action Mental Health changes the lives of those living with mental ill-health.
Enquire
National Breast Cancer Research Institute
- Email Patrick Casey: patrick@breastcancerresearch.ie
The National Breast Cancer Research Institute is a national charity that funds a comprehensive research programme at the University of Galway, improving Outcomes For Women In Ireland And Across The World.
Enquire
Movember
- Email Caitriona Doran: caitriona.doran@movember.com
Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health, focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Enquire
Rethink Mental Illness
- Email Our Events Team: events@rethink.org
We improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through our network of local groups and services, expert information and successful campaigning.
Enquire
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Supporting America’s first responder and military heroes, including homeless veterans, and helping America to Never Forget 9/11.
Enquire
Féileacáin (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland - SANDAI)
- Email Mark Millard: mark.millard@feileacain.ie

Epilepsy Action
- Email Events Team: events@epilepsy.org.uk
The UK's leading member-led epilepsy charity, providing information for the 600,000 people with epilepsy in the UK and anyone with an interest in the condition
Enquire
Irish Wheelchair Association
- Email Ciarán McDonagh: ciaran.mcdonagh@iwa.ie
Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is one of Ireland's leading service providers and representative organisations for people with physical disabilities.
Enquire
Northern Ireland Hospice
- Email Events Team: events@nihospice.org
Northern Ireland Hospice is a local charity providing specialist respite, symptom management and end of life palliative care to infants, children and adults.
Enquire
RNLI
- Email Mary Creedon: mary_creedon@rnli.org.uk
We've been saving lives at sea since 1824. Your support will help us in our mission to save every one.
Enquire
Diabetes Ireland
- Email Tess Clinch: tess.clinch@diabetes.ie
Providing support, education and advocacy for all those in Ireland affected by diabetes.
Enquire
Sightsavers Ireland
- Email Wim Desmedt: wdesmedt@sightsavers.ie
Protecting sight and fighting for disability rights.
Enquire
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland
- Email Matt Powell: mpowell@abiireland.ie
Brain Injury can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. We provide community based Neuro-Rehabilitation for people with #braininjury #mindyourhead
Enquire
Women's Aid Ireland
- Email Emma Greally: challenges@womensaid.ie
Leading national organisation, working to prevent & address the impact of domestic violence & abuse
Enquire
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
- Email Jennifer Hurley: jenniferhurley@guidedogs.ie
National charity helping people with sight loss or families of children with autism to achieve mobility and independence.
Enquire
St James's Hospital Foundation
- Email Our team at: events@supportstjames.ie
St James's Hospital Foundation, uses donations to enhance facilities, support, innovation and research, provide education and training for hospital employees and elevate the standard of care for all patients.
Enquire
ISPCC Childline
- Email Ray Traynor: community@ispcc.ie
ISPCC Childline is for children. Our purpose is to listen to them, empower them, strengthen their resilience and enable them to live their best possible lives.
Enquire
Herren Project
- Email Pam Rickard: pam@herrenproject.org
Former NBA player Chris Herren founded The Herren Project to help others navigate the road to recovery from addiction.
Enquire
The Mater Foundation
- Email Angela McNulty: amcnulty@materfoundation.ie
Official fundraising body of The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin.
Enquire
Allyson Whitney Foundation
- Email Barbara: barbara@allysonwhitney.org
The Allyson Whitney Foundation primarily provides young adult cancer patients (16-36) with ‘Life Interrupted Grants™' to ease their financial burden, so that they can concentrate their energy on healing.
Enquire
Back on My Feet
- Email Courtney Totten: courtney.totten@backonmyfeet.org
Back on My Feet combats homelessness through the power of fitness, community support and essential employment and housing resources.
Enquire
Keith Duffy Foundation
- Email Noel Carroll: ncarroll@platinumpaper.ie
With a strong link to autism awareness in Ireland, the Keith Duffy Foundation is working to raise funds for a number of children’s charities throughout the country.
Enquire
Children in Hospital Ireland
- Email Niamh Lawlor: niamh@childreninhospital.ie
Making hospital a happier place for children through play and advocacy.
Enquire
Make-A-Wish Ireland
- Email Mary Murphy: mary@makeawish.ie
Make-A Wish® Ireland grants magical wishes to children between the ages of 3 and 17 years living with life threatening medical conditions, such as Cancer and Cystic fibrosis.
Enquire
The Bone Marrow for Leukaemia Trust
- Email Samantha Windrum: samantha@bonemarrowtrust.ie
Supporting people who have Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma & have had or may need a stem cell transplant. Swapping information & stories.
Enquire




































