London, 7th November 2024: Content creator Shabaz Ali is the latest ambassador to be joining Save the Children UK and will be gearing up for a big challenge to support the charity by running the 2025 London Marathon.

Shabaz, aged 30, known as ‘Shabaz Says’ on his social media channels, creates comedic and light-hearted content that uses humour and satire to reflect and comment on the latest news and social trends, with a particular focus on poverty and discrimination. Outside of the internet, where he’s amassed more than three million followers across Instagram and TikTok, Shabaz is a secondary school chemistry teacher and has a deep understanding about the important issues children face and care deeply about.

Over the last year, Shabaz has used his platform to showcase the pivotal work Save the Children does across the UK. He has volunteered his time at a food pantry supported by Save the Children in Manchester as well as campaigning tirelessly to extend families’ access to Free School Meals. As well as supporting the charity’s annual Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser, he’s also empowered young people to use their voices through political literacy project ‘Our Generation, Our Vote’, which gave children the opportunity to cast their ballot in a mock election for under 18 year-olds in England and Wales..

As its latest ambassador, Shabaz will continue to work with the charity on campaigns close to his heart by using his platform to help raise money and ensure children’s voices are heard. He will also be taking his followers on a journey as he sets out to run the London Marathon in April 2025. From his first few runs, training sessions, gym workouts to seeing the impact donations can make, Shabaz will use his platform to highlight the essential work Save the Children does across the UK and world.

Shabaz Ali said: “I am honoured to be joining Save the Children as an ambassador. As a teacher, I have always been committed to improving children’s lives and this is something that Save the Children has done for decades. Around the world today, we see kids whose lives have been torn apart by war, uprooted by the climate crisis and limited by a lack of education. I want to play my small part in helping Save the Children to make a difference. I know the run is going to be tough and the training is too, but that’s a part of the appeal. I spend every day trying to make people laugh but hopefully I now have a chance to make people think. About what they have and others do not, about journeys far longer and more perilous than my 26 miles, and how they can help by supporting Save the Children. I hope you join me on my journey.”

Gemma Sherrington, interim CEO of Save the Children said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Shabaz as an ambassador for Save the Children. His career as a teacher means he has first-hand insight into what’s important to children and it’s made him so passionate about making a positive difference to lives both here in the UK and around the world. It’s been brilliant to see him get so involved in the work we do and meet the children we work with. As he prepares for the London Marathon, we’ll all be getting behind him and cannot wait to see him cross that finish line!”

Shabaz Ali will be running the 2025 London Marathon on Sunday 27 April 2025. To donate to his Just Giving page, please visit the link here

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

For media queries please contact Faith Whitehouse -  f.whitehouse@savethechildren.org.uk

About Save the Children:

Save the Children exists to create lasting change for and with children. In more than 100 countries including the UK, we make sure children stay safe, healthy and learning, and change the future for good. We find new ways to reach children, no matter where they’re growing up. For a century, we’ve stood up for children’s rights and made sure their voices are heard.

For more information visit www.savethechildren.org.uk