London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

This year, MARCH4MARCH came back for another round, built on the same idea that got it started: you don't need to be a runner, a scientist, or even an LSHTM student to support research that changes the lives of others. We invited everyone, whether affiliated with LSHTM or not, to join the independent activity challenge: walk, run, or "move in your own way" any time across the challenge week, snap some photos along the way, and donate to support the MARCH Centre - LSHTM's Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health research group. This year, the whole effort was funnelled directly into MARCH's work.

Why we move for MARCH

It's easy to register a donation and move on, but it's worth pausing and reflecting on what that money supports. The MARCH Centre is one of the largest research networks of its kind in the world; more than 600 researchers working across epidemiology, economics, and health systems, all focused on improving outcomes for women, children, and adolescents. Between 2018 and 2022 alone, MARCH contributed to 667 studies spanning every continent, with a particular focus on Africa, where the disease burden is highest.

Recent highlights include:

1. Folate deficiency and repeated pregnancies: A study showing folate status declines with each additional pregnancy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, pointing to the need for stronger support across the reproductive cycle.
2. Leading key areas of the National Maternity Disparities Consortium: LSHTM will lead research on neonatal and longer-term child outcomes as part of a £50 million NIHR-funded programme to close gaps in UK maternity care.
3. The WOMAN-2 trial's "missing evidence" report: Showed anaemia may be a hidden factor behind around half of severe postpartum haemorrhage cases in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
4. School health check-ups for adolescents in Zimbabwe: LSHTM is working with WHO to build the evidence base for school health check-ups, strengthening services for adolescents worldwide.

These are exactly the kinds of findings your donation helps make possible.

How it worked

For anyone who missed it, the format stayed simple:

1. Register by donating on JustGiving: the suggested amount was £5, but every contribution counted!
2. Get moving: a run, a walk, or whatever "moving in your own way" meant to you on any day across the challenge week.
3. Submit photos and details: share your story and be eligible for one of the five awards.

The final tally — and the winners

By the end of the week, the numbers spoke for themselves: £505 raised from more than thirty supporters — proof that a low-pressure, flexible challenge can still add up to real support for MARCH's research.

Five participants stood out to take home an award (and a voucher for the LSHTM merchandise store). Their fantastic photos are proudly featured on this blog:

• Distance Dynamo (longest distance travelled) — Elena Alessandra Lissoni
• Fashion Superstar (best outfit) — Audrey Dombek
• Globe Trotter (farthest location from LSHTM's London campus) — Lisa Ide
• Goofy Photo (funniest/most creative photo) — Jihee Lee
• Scenic Snap (best view) — Cassandra Leussing

Huge congratulations to all five, and a genuine thank you to every single person who walked, ran, donated, or cheered the team on from the sidelines.

Special appreciation to:

• Daniela Manno – for positive mentorship and energy.
• Patryjca, Ailish & Eilidh – for much-needed technical support and guidance.

Every step and every pound helps support the MARCH Centre's research to improve the health of women, children and adolescents around the world. In a moment when public health research can feel under-resourced and overlooked, it's a reminder of what a community can still pull together to support.

If this is the first you're hearing of MARCH4MARCH, keep an eye out for next year's edition, and in the meantime, you can learn more about the MARCH Centre's work.