Putney Headteacher Successfully Completes London Marathon
Simon Gould was raising funds for youth charity Regenerate
Simon Gould
April 29, 2026
A Putney headteacher has successfully completed the TCS London Marathon, raising vital funds for a local youth charity that has become a cornerstone of his school community’s outreach work.
Simon Gould, Head of Hurlingham Prep School, crossed the finish line on Sunday (26 April) after taking on the 26.2-mile challenge in support of Regenerate, the Roehampton-based organisation that works with young people and families facing significant challenges.
His very respectable time of 4 hours and 16 minutes put him in 1,621 place in the 50-54 age category.
Hurlingham Prep has partnered with Regenerate for the past 18 months, combining fundraising with hands-on volunteering from pupils, staff and families. Through that partnership, Gould says he has seen the charity’s impact first-hand — particularly the way its youth workers provide stability, trusted relationships and practical support for young people who may not have those foundations elsewhere.
This year, the school set an ambitious target of £30,000, enough to fund a full-time youth worker and mentor. Completing the marathon, Mr Gould said, was his way of helping move the school closer to that goal and demonstrating what can be achieved when a local community rallies behind a cause.
Reflecting after the race, he said the physical challenge was demanding but remained small compared with the daily pressures many young people face. That contrast, he explained, is what kept him motivated throughout the long months of training and on the day itself.
Every donation, he added, will help Regenerate continue offering opportunities, guidance and encouragement to young people who need it most — ensuring the charity can keep “showing up” for those who rely on it.
Supporters can donate to Simon Gould’s fundraising effort via his JustGiving page.
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