New partnership with Age UK to launch flagship physical activity programme for older people
The London Marathon Foundation has awarded more than £1.9 million to Age UK to launch a major new physical activity programme, designed to support older people to move more and live healthier, more active lives.
We’re committed to improving access to physical activity for underserved communities across the UK. This partnership will enable Age UK, the leading charity for older people, to expand and enhance access to physical activity for those in later life.
Sport England’s latest Active Lives Survey (April 2026) shows encouraging growth in activity levels among older people, with 64% of people aged 55-74 doing more than 150 minutes of physical activity a week. However, activity levels significantly drop for people aged over 75, with not even half (44%) reaching this total. With an ageing population, further action is needed to ensure older people, particularly in areas of higher deprivation, have more opportunities to be active.
The new, flagship programme will offer a range of initiatives tailored to different activity levels for those aged 65 years and over. From bespoke one-to-one mentoring, to expanding the availability of physical activity classes and local mass participation events such as park walks, the programme will bring the physical, mental and social benefits of being active to many more older people.
The programme will be delivered by 10 local Age UKs across the country over a two-year period, acting as a catalyst for engaging older communities in physical activity. The locations include: Age UK Bradford District, Age UK County Durham, Age UK Enfield, Age UK Hull & East Yorkshire, Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland, Age UK Lincolnshire, Age UK Norfolk, Age UK Salford & Trafford, Age UK Teesside and Age UK Wolverhampton.
Paul Farmer, CEO at Age UK, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to the London Marathon Foundation for this £1.9 million investment, which represents a major step forward for Age UK’s work around physical activity. This partnership will enable us to build on the work already underway and develop a flagship programme that helps even more older people to become and remain active, particularly those who are currently the most sedentary.
“Crucially, this support will help us build a lasting legacy by making physical activity central to healthy ageing and ensuring more older people across the UK can experience its benefits.”
This £1.9 million funding comes from our Strategic Partnerships Fund, which supports the scaling of impactful physical activity initiatives across the UK. Other partnerships include the expansion of junior parkrun, a free, weekly 2K community event for children aged 4-14.
Mike Diaper, Group Funding and Impact Director at the London Marathon Foundation, said:
“We’re committed to inspiring activity for people of all ages and abilities. From early years through to later life, we want everyone to experience the physical, social and mental health benefits that come with being active.
“Age UK truly understands the needs of older people and the barriers they can face. By working together, we’ll reach more older people in underserved communities and support them to move more and live healthier, more connected lives.”
More information about how to participate in the new programme’s activities will be announced locally in the coming months.