Tony Audenshaw, known for his role as Bob Hope in Emmerdale, is set to run the 2025 TCS London Marathon in memory of his late wife, Ruth, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2017. This deeply personal endeavor honors Ruth’s final wish, as she had left a note requesting Tony to run for Pancreatic Cancer UK if he ever participated in the marathon again citeturn0search11.

In support of this cause, Tony unveiled the “Shoes of Hope” installation along the River Thames, featuring 797 running shoes representing the number of lives lost to pancreatic cancer each month in the UK. Each pair was donated by individuals affected by the disease, including celebrities and survivors citeturn0search2.

The marathon aims to raise £2 million to fund the development of the first-ever early detection test for pancreatic cancer, a breakthrough that could save thousands of lives citeturn0search6.

Tony’s participation not only fulfills Ruth’s wish but also brings attention to the critical need for advancements in pancreatic cancer research and early detection.