Yes, really.
On 26 April, I’ll be standing on the start line of the London Marathon dressed as a giant pair of testicles — not as a prank, not as a stunt, but to raise awareness of testicular cancer and fund vital support through The Robin Cancer Trust.
Because sometimes the best way to start a life-saving conversation… is to talk boll*cks...
Quick facts
- Event: London Marathon (26.2 miles)
- Cause: Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
- Charity: The Robin Cancer Trust
- Challenge: Running in a giant testicles costume
- Donate: Give As You Live link (Target £2,500 with £500 matched by KMC)
This April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and I’ll be attempting to run 26.2 miles in a giant ballbag costume to raise awareness of testicular cancer - the most common cancer in young men aged 15–45 - while raising vital funds for The Robin Cancer Trust.
Because if a ridiculous costume gets people talking about testicular cancer, then it’s doing its job.
You can help support Toby here.
The Goal
Taking on the London Marathon is hard enough - but the real goal is much bigger.
Throughout my Big Ballsy Challenge, I’ve run over 500km in the costume (including becoming the first-person ever to run across the country dressed as a giant pair of balls!) with the goal of breaking stigma, reducing embarrassment and starting conversations that save lives - all in aid of The Robin Cancer Trust - the charity I founded after losing my brother to cancer.
My hope has always been that no other family has to go through what we did - so my vision is to raise an ambitious £240,000 - representing the 2,400 men diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK every year (that’s only £100 each), so that we can ensure no-one goes through testicular cancer alone.
You can help support Toby here.
A Message from Kendal Mint Co.
At Kendal Mint Co, we’re proud to support challenges that mean something.
Toby’s London Marathon effort is funny, eye-catching and completely unforgettable — but underneath the costume is a genuinely important mission: raising awareness of testicular cancer and supporting The Robin Cancer Trust.
If dressing up in a giant pair of balls helps more people start conversations, check themselves, and catch symptoms early, then we’re all for it.
We’re proud to be backing Toby with fuelling support for race day, and we’ll also be helping to support the fundraising effort because this is exactly the kind of bold, meaningful challenge we believe in.
Please give what you can, share the story, and help Toby make a massive impact — one very brave stride at a time.
You can help support Toby here.
Why I’m Doing This
Testicular Cancer took my brother - so this race isn’t against the clock, it’s against cancer.
I watched my brother go from the prime of his life - fit, healthy, and with his whole life ahead of him - to months of aggressive treatment, uncertainty, setbacks - and ultimately holding his hand on his deathbed.
He was just 24 years old.
When we lost Rob, we made a promise: something good had to come from it.
That promise became The Robin Cancer Trust, which we founded in my brother’s memory to raise awareness and support young people affected by testicular, ovarian, and germ cell cancers.
Today, the charity:
● Educates tens of thousands of young people every year about cancer symptoms and early detection
● Runs bold national campaigns to break stigma around men’s health
● Provides support packs and guidance for people affected by cancer
● Helps young people feel confident enough to seek medical advice when something doesn’t feel right
Testicular cancer is 95% curable when caught early - but too many young men still don’t know the signs or feel too embarrassed to talk about it.
That’s what I’m hoping to change - if I can help just one person learn the symptoms of testicular cancer, encourage one person to check themselves, give one person the confidence to visit their doctor - then all the training, the effort and the miles will be worth it.
Because no-one should say goodbye to their brother at just 24.
You can help support Toby here.
Keeping the Balls Fresh
Running a marathon takes balls, but running in a giant testicle costume presents some… unique challenges.
That’s where Kendal Mint Co. come in.
Their products have fuelled explorers, climbers and endurance athletes around the world - and now they’re helping power the Big Ballsy Challenge too.
From long training runs to race day itself, Kendal Mint Co. will be keeping me fuelled, hydrated, and keeping the balls feeling fresh along the way!
You can help support Toby here.
Support the challenge and double your impact
To help the challenge go even further, Kendal Mint Co. will be match-funding donations up to £500 with our total fundraising goal of £2,500
That means every pound donated could help twice as many young people learn the signs of cancer, seek help early, and get the support they need.
Please donate via Give As You Live here.
Thank you for being part of this challenge.
Because if dressing up as a giant pair of balls helps even one person learn the symptoms of testicular cancer, check themselves, or go and see their GP - then every mile will have been worth it.
Testicular Cancer Awareness
Learn how to check yourself here.