Conductor and euphonium player Ben Smith will be getting his running shoes on in the New Year to help raise funds for a charity close to his musical heart.

Chemo treatment

When he was aged just 7, Ben was diagnosed with leukaemia. He was given the highest levels of chemotherapy, but thankfully through the treatment he has since remained cancer free for 14 years, allowing him to enjoy a brass banding career that now sees him both play and conduct the Harborough Band.

When he was undergoing his treatment, his father, aunt and uncle all ran the London Marathon to raise money for the Children with Leukaemia charity (now Children with Cancer UK), and in 2019 Ben did it himself as his own thank you for the support he received.

Ongoing fight

Now he is undertaking it all again, as he told 4BR: "The fight against cancer is never ending so I felt it was about time I did the run again.

I'm not as fit as I should and a bit like playing its hard work getting the miles under the belt again, but it is going to be well worth it to raise the money and try and beat my previous time into the bargain."

I've been very fortunate to meet so many great people in my banding life, and their support in the good and bad times has been so important to meBen Smith

Marathon Brass Concert

To help him kick-start the fund raising journey he is hosting a special 'Marathon Brass' concert on 29th March which will feature players from Black Dyke, Grimethorpe Colliery, Carlton Main Frickley, GUS and Hepworth Bands.

He added: "I've been very fortunate to meet so many great people in my banding life, and their support in the good and bad times has been so important to me.

They all share my desire to help a wonderful charity with its essential work, so if you are in the area or can give a donation I can assure you that it will going to an amazing cause."

Time and place

Marathon Brass
29th March
7.30pm
St Dionysius' Church
1 Church Square,
Market Harborough
LE16 7NB

Ticket and donations

Tickets can be bought from: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/marathon-brass

Donations can be made at: https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/benslondonmarathon