London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

This summer, we had the pleasure of organising a virtual walkathon with a purpose close to our hearts: advocating for child health. Over the course of a week, participants from across the globe laced up their trainers and stepped out in support of two incredible causes: LSHTM’s MARCH Centre and Lloyd Park Children’s Charity (LPCC). We called this walkathon: MARCH4MARCH.

The idea was simple: walk wherever you are in the world, track your steps, and share your progress - all while raising awareness and funds for child health. What we hadn’t expected was just how far our community would go, literally and figuratively. Students, staff, friends, and supporters joined from all corners of the globe, proving that distance is no barrier when it comes to a shared commitment to better health for children. Together, we raised £234 for MARCH and £175 for LPCC - a fantastic result made possible by the generosity and energy of our supporters. 

Why we walked – The science behind the strides 

The MARCH Centre is home to more than 550 researchers tackling child health across the globe. Recent highlights include: 

• Climate change & premature births: LSHTM scientists showed how extreme heat elevates preterm-birth risk and outlined community-led adaptations in Africa, Asia and South America.
• Closing neonatal research gaps: The Newborn Toolkit map, visited by 55,000 users in 198 countries last year, helps clinicians find evidence-based resources for small and sick newborns.
• Nutrition under malaria burden: A 2025 secondary analysis from Malawi revealed how malaria infection can distort micronutrient biomarker readings in children, sharpening the need for context-specific diagnostics.
• Linking disciplines to save babies: At the 2024 ISA conference, MARCH researchers joined clinicians, policymakers and bereaved parents under the banner “Leaving no country behind”. 

These studies remind us why student advocacy matters: fresh voices help translate data into action, funding, and ultimately, healthier childhoods for all. 

Spotlight on Lloyds Park Children’s Charity 

While MARCH works globally, Lloyds Park Children’s Charity (LPCC), based in Walthamstow in East London, delivers crucial local impact in the area. The charity runs two nurseries; a digital-equity project, breakfast and holiday clubs, and a ‘Baby Bank’ that organises much-needed packages for new families, including baby essentials such as diapers, cots and wipes. Through Waltham Forest’s Family Hub network, it offers parent groups, play sessions and outdoor learning through its ‘Grow Wild’ initiative.  

There are many ways in which LPCC helps its community, and the team that leads this effort is compassionate and proactive. Be sure to check out their website if you would like to learn more and get involved.  

Planning MARCH4MARCH opened doors for deeper collaboration – and with LPCC we co-designed student volunteering pathways ranging from assisting with putting together packages for their ‘Baby Bank’, to on-site play-and-learn sessions, giving LSHTM students practical experience in community children’s health while boosting LPCC’s capacity. 

Thank you to all who helped

Our heartfelt thanks to:  

• Patryjca, Ailish & Eilidh – For much-needed technical support and guidance.
• Daniela Manno – for mentorship that turned our idea into a reality.
• The passionate staff at LPCC that welcomed student volunteers with open arms.
• Every walker, donor and social media cheerleader who proved advocacy can be joyful. 

At the heart of this event was a simple but powerful message: advocating for child health matters. Globally, children face numerous health challenges - from infectious diseases to malnutrition, limited access to healthcare, and the impacts of poverty and conflict. The work done at MARCH, through interdisciplinary research and collaboration, aims to address these inequalities and create real change for children everywhere. 

We are proud to be part of a community that doesn’t just talk about impact, but walks the walk - literally. Thank you to everyone who took part, donated, and cheered us on. Every step counted. 

• Learn more about the LSHTM's Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive, & Child Health
• Contact our student and alumni ambassadors
• Read more: Behind the Scenes of a Health Systems Simulation: Why We Built the MARCH Hackathon