The Manchester Half marathon is a 13.1 mile challenge that takes place every October, starting and finishing by Old Trafford, and is easily the biggest in the region with over 15,000 runners.

Take part this year and fundraise for Once Upon a Smile and you’ll receive a FREE t-shirt.

Choose to fund your own place or sign up directly with our fundraising team.

World Smile Day encourages people to spread kindness and make others smile.

This year, we want you to bring smiles throughout not only the day but throughout the year.

We have some amazing fundraising ideas which you can take part in which would help spread some smiles and raise some much needed funds for Once Upon a Smile.

Spread some love!
Spread some love to others online, write a post on your social media and tag someone who you want to celebrate, donate to Once Upon a Smile and encourage the person nominated to also take part. -Creating a wave of positivity online. -We have text to donate option or JustGiving link available.* Don’t forget to tag us in your post and/or use the #SmileOUAS
-use this message in your social media also:

Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate [@person’s name]! You inspire me with your kindness and positivity every day. 💛 In your honour, I’ve donated to Once Upon a Smile, an incredible charity that supports children and families dealing with bereavement. Their work makes such a difference, and I encourage you to join me in spreading kindness by donating too! 💫

Let’s create a wave of positivity online! Who else will take part? 💪 #CelebrateKindness #SmileOUAS

(INSERT JustGiving link here)

 

Other ideas:

• The classics always work! Ask everyone to donate a set amount to dress down for the day (or try dress up day too!). A great idea for work or school.
• Our SMILE MILE of course! Designed originally as a school one-off activity it’s actually evolved into a wider event and is fun for all ages. Even workplaces now get involved and take part as it is a great lunchtime activity.
• Challenge yourself to do a mile a day, could be running, hopping, walking, cycling, swimming. Or it could be a one-off event for on the day-the magic is it is totally up to you!
• Wear orange! Turns out Sidley our bear loves anything orange. Host an orange party, serving orange drinks and treats!

Want some more inspiration? Check out our A-Z Guide of Fundraising Activities.

We are also happy to work with you on an idea to suit your setting or workplace. Please reach out and get in touch.

Text Donate:
Text OUAS to 70085 to donate £3.

Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from us. If you would like to donate but don’t wish to hear more from us, please text OUASNOINFO instead.

 

The 2025 AJ Bell Great North Run ballot is now open!
The AJ Bell Great North Run is the world’s biggest and best half marathon, with 60,000 runners taking on the 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields each year. It’s famous for its inclusive atmosphere, unbeatable on-route entertainment, and warm Geordie welcome. From the rush of thousands of cheering spectators to the oggy-oggy-oggy chants, Great North Run magic can be hard to understand – until you’ve experienced it for yourself.

All the while you will be fundraising for Once Upon a Smile-making a huge difference to supporting bereaved children at their time of need.

To register:

Simply click the entry link (external website) and complete the ballot registration form to enter. You will be asked to submit payment details for the entry fee and for any optional merchandise you may wish to purchase. You will need to authorise this payment, if requested by your bank, to complete your entry however no funds will be removed from your account unless you are successful in the ballot draw that will take place on or around the time the ballot closes (Closing date will be confirmed then the ballot opens).

It’s important that you have the necessary funds available in your account at the time of the ballot draw.

If you have been confirmed a place-contact us and let us know. We will provide you with a fundraising pack and all you need to help you prepare for one of the best running events in the UK.

In 2025, Once Upon a Smile will be 14!
If you would like to donate to our birthday campaign or host an event, we would be truly grateful.
There are many ways in which you could help us continue to support bereaved families at their time of need.

But if you can help by organising a birthday fundraiser for us, we would really appreciate it

Here are some example fundraising activities:

Set up your own workplace or with friends/family a fundraising challenge such as a birthday bake off- who is the better baker?
Set up a regular donation to support bereaved children at their time of need.

Donate directly to our JustGiving page, every pound you can donate really does make a massive difference.

Raise awareness of what we do and how you help by sharing how you support Once Upon a Smile on social media. #OUAS

Are you a business? We are in preparation of organising a corporate party for our birthday celebrations!

We also have an A-Z of fundraising guide.

By fundraising:

• £20 would provide a school with a We’re Here For You, bereavement comfort bag
• £100 would support a family this summer with buying groceries.
• £200 would help towards the costs of school uniforms for two children.
• £500 would provide a group activity for bereaved children we support.

Run, walk, swim or hop a mile a day for our birthday this August!

You decide how far you challenge yourself and how you do it!
There is no minimum sponsorship amount. However, if you raise over £100 we will send you a charity t-shirt.

The Great North SwimRun is a journey across the landscape, taking on land and water, navigating around Short, Middle and Endurance distances.

Doing a SwimRun is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the great outdoors and experience a variety of terrain.

Great North SwimRun takes place through Windermere in the Lake District-an amazing experience for anyone who takes part.

This event can be booked directly by SwimRun. Once signed up, set up a JustGiving fundraising page and we will be in touch!

One of Manchester’s biggest half marathon events is back for 2025.

Our Co-Founders Danny Miller and Dan Jillings are also taking part in this year’s 10K.

Why not join the team!?

 

This glittering event promises an unforgettable evening of entertainment and fundraising, hosted by our charity’s co-founders.

And in the words of our charity Co-Founders Danny Miller & Daniel Jillings, the event is ‘BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE.’

This well-coveted event for Greater Manchester children’s bereavement charity, Once Upon a Smile is their biggest events of the year- and it will not be without it’s surprises with over 30 celebrities in attendance.

The Grand Ball will feature spectacular performances. We will have you “reaching for the stars” with our very first act announcement – the ultimate duo from S CLUB – Jo & Jon.

More incredible acts will be announced in the lead-up to the event, ensuring a night filled with music, joy, and inspiration.

We have a LIMITED number of tickets/tables available for our biggest fundraising event of the year.

Tickets are £120 per person and include an arrival drinks reception and red carpet experience, 3-course meal and entertainment and laughter throughout.

Tables of 8, 10 and 12 are also available.

If you want to enjoy an evening of magic, entertainment and fun whilst supporting our charity, please complete the contact form below.

A 275ft drop abseil at the iconic Wainhouse Tower has been organised by our partners BIG BANG Experiences and we’d love it if you could take part for an adrenalin-fuelled experience you’ll never forget that raises money for our charity.

Places are limited so please register your interest today!

A minimum amount of £250 of funds must be raised per person to participate.

The MBNA Chester 10K is the only city based 10K in Chester.

The event boasts a lively city centre start and finish, with a route that passes many of Chester’s iconic landmarks.

Runners will head north-west out of the City, through the picturesque village of Mollington before returning to the heart of Chester for a spectacular finish, with all the enthusiasm you could ask for from the Cestrian supporters, under a backdrop of the Eastgate Clock.

Minimum fundraising amount £150.