Get excited: RBC Race for the Kids is back this autumn

The day is set to kick off with a fun warm-up, hosted by RBC Race for the Kids legend MC Carla.

Next, you’ll head to the start line, ready to walk, jog, wheel or scoot the scenic 2k or 5k route.

Keep an eye out for our amazing volunteers cheering you on, including a brilliant percussion ensemble.

After collecting your medal at the finish line, it'll be time to head to the buzzing event village.

Here there’ll be live entertainment, including acts from the performing-arts group Spirit YPC. There will also be arts and crafts, face painting, bubbles, food and drink stalls and more. (Psst, keep your eyes peeled for a few famous faces, too...!)

Remember: kids go free!

Below, we speak with three GOSH families getting ready to take on RBC Race for the Kids this October.

Team Ary

Ary and family are seasoned RBC Race for the Kids goers.

They attended their first one eight years ago, when Ary was just over a year old.

Ary was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at six months old and had heart surgery at GOSH shortly after. The family heard about RBC Race for the Kids while at GOSH and did their first race later that year, raising an amazing £13,500.

“It was our way of saying thank you, and now it’s our family tradition,” Ary’s mum, Shiva, says. "The group gets bigger and bigger each year.”

Shiva says Ary and his brother, Rivi, “love” reaching the signs along the RBC Race for the Kids course that mark each mile. Their favourite thing, though, is “having a little dance” when the drummers or steel band play at the cheer points.

“Both kids and parents can do something together while having fun!” Shiva says.

Team Mela

Like Ary, 14-year-old Mela has also grown-up going to RBC Race for the Kids.

Mela was born with a rare craniofacial condition called Apert syndrome and has been a patient at GOSH since she was a baby. During that time, she’s had over 20 surgeries.

“From the day Mela arrived at GOSH, we knew our beautiful daughter was in good care. The staff were incredible since day one when Mela came into the world,” Mela’s mum, Paula, says.

“Our family takes part in RBC Race for the Kids every year. With Mela under the care of so many specialists at GOSH, we want to do what we can to give back to the hospital.

“It’s a special time of year for us. I watch the girls do the stretch of the race on their scooters. It’s heart-warming to see how much they’ve grown. And it means so much that our friends and family walk with us, with Mela.

“There’s something new and exciting every year, but no matter what the day brings, us five will always be there walking for GOSH.”

Team Henry

Unlike for Ary and Mela, RBC Race for the Kids 2024 will be Henry and family’s first time taking part.

Henry was diagnosed with long segment tracheal stenosis and left pulmonary artery sling soon after birth. He lived in GOSH for the first 15 months of his life and spent his first two Christmases in hospital.

Now six, he still requires 24-hour ventilation via his tracheostomy, but uses a smaller ventilator which he can carry around himself. He's currently in Year one at school and has already made lifelong friends.

Henry, his brother George and his grown-ups, Shevonne and Ben, will be travelling from Yorkshire to Hyde Park to take part in RBC Race for the Kids in October.

“I am unsure exactly what we will do on the day, but it's likely to be scooters as a means of managing Henry's energy levels,” Shevonne says. “That way, he can walk, run and choose to scoot also.

“He is great during short distances, but finds longer distances extremely challenging.

“Henry and George love running races, scooting, and cycling, so we are excited to be able to participate in the event with lots of other children and families to raise funds for a wonderful cause close to our hearts."

Since GOSH Charity’s first ever RBC Race for the Kids 15 years ago, the event has raised over £10 million for the children and families at GOSH.

This year we're raising money to help build the new world-class Children’s Cancer Centre at the hospital and save more children’s lives.

GOSH already cares for children with the hardest to treat cancers, and now it needs a new home to help deliver breakthrough therapies. It will be a world-class facility with children at its heart.

Be part of it.

Unable to make it to Hyde Park? Check out RBC Race for the Kids at home.