A striking new art installation has appeared beside Tower Bridge in London ahead of the 2026 TCS London Marathon, bringing together sport, art, and a deeply moving social message.
The sculpture, titled “The Daffodil Runner”, depicts a runner in motion and has been created by end of life charity Marie Curie as its official Charity of the Year for this year’s marathon. It is now on display at Potters Fields Park, one of the most iconic points along the marathon route.
557 Steel Daffodils: A Symbol of Lives Lost Without Care
What makes the installation particularly powerful is its composition. The runner is formed from 557 hand-crafted steel daffodils, each one representing the number of people who die every day in the UK without access to the essential end of life care they need.
The daffodil is the symbol of Marie Curie, and the installation transforms it into a stark visual reminder of a national care crisis that often remains hidden.
Created by Steel Artist Alan Ross
The sculpture was handcrafted by former care worker turned steel artist Alan Ross, who spent more than 200 hours welding each individual daffodil onto the runner’s frame.
Ross said the project carried deep emotional weight:
“Every one represents a person who died and did not get the end of life care they deserved… it has been an honour to work on this special commission.”
His background in care work adds further poignancy to the piece, grounding the artwork in lived experience as well as artistic expression.
AJ and Curtis Pritchard Help Unveil “The Daffodil Runner”
TV personalities and professional dancers AJ and Curtis Pritchard helped unveil the statue ahead of running this year’s marathon in support of Marie Curie.
The brothers shared that their participation is also deeply personal, reflecting their own experience of grief following the loss of their grandmother during the pandemic.
From Tower Bridge to ExCeL London and Beyond
After its debut at Tower Bridge, the installation will move to ExCeL London, where it will be displayed during marathon registration as runners collect their bib numbers.
It will eventually be permanently installed at the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale in Penarth, ensuring its message continues long after race day.
A Growing Crisis in End of Life Care
The sculpture is based on findings from Marie Curie research highlighting a growing national issue:
- Nearly 1 in 3 people do not receive the end of life care they need
- Around 200,000 people per year die without proper support
- By 2050, that number could exceed 250,000 annually
Marie Curie says the crisis is “hiding in plain sight”, with inequalities particularly affecting disadvantaged communities.
Grief, Community and the “Grief Run Clubs”
Earlier this year, Marie Curie partnered with running community Run Your Mind to launch a series of Grief Run Clubs, offering a safe space for people to connect, run, and talk openly about loss.
Dr Sarah Holmes Takes on Guinness World Record Challenge
Marie Curie’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Sarah Holmes is also running this year’s marathon as part of a Guinness World Record attempt.
She will be part of a three-person team attempting to become the fastest female team to complete a “four-legged marathon”, running 26.2 miles physically tied together.
A Marathon With Meaning
For AJ and Curtis Pritchard, the marathon is more than a race—it is a tribute.
“Grief doesn’t have an end line,” they said. “Running the marathon is a way to honour our Nana and support others going through similar heartache.”
Their fundraising supports Marie Curie’s goal of raising £2 million to fund care, dignity, and support for people at the end of life.
2026 TCS London Marathon Details
The 2026 TCS London Marathon takes place on Sunday 26 April 2026, bringing together thousands of runners from around the world across one of the most iconic routes in sport.
For more details: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/
