Dr Akash Srinivasan will take on the 13.1-mile challenge in support of Lost Chord UK, a charity that delivers interactive music experiences for people living with dementia.

Lost Chord UK has just five charity places available for the 2027 race and is inviting four more runners to join Dr Srinivasan on the start line.

Dr Srinivasan, who regularly cares for patients with dementia, said: “As a doctor, I regularly meet people living with dementia and see the impact it has on their lives and their loved ones.

“I’ve also been a musician since I was young, playing both the violin and flute, so I’ve always believed music has an extraordinary effect on the mind.”

He was further inspired after reading Musicophilia, the book by Oliver Sacks.

Dr Srinivasan said he discovered Lost Chord UK and the work they do supporting people through live interactive music, and knew it was a charity he wanted to support.

He added: “Running the London Landmarks Half Marathon felt like a meaningful way to bring those two worlds together.”

Lost Chord UK supports more than 9,000 people and families each year through professional live interactive music sessions in care homes, hospitals, hospices and community settings across England and Wales.

Jean Collingwood, chief executive of Lost Chord UK, said Dr Srinivasan’s motivation captures the essence of the charity’s mission.

Ms Collingwood said: “When Akash applied, his words stayed with us because they brought together two things we see every day – medicine helps people live longer, but music helps people live well.”

She explained the broader impact of their work and the importance of community support.

Ms Collingwood added: “Every week our musicians witness extraordinary moments – someone who hasn’t spoken begins to sing, a husband and wife share a dance, a son hears his mum laugh again, a family catches a glimpse of the person they know and love.

“That’s why we’re inviting four more people to join Team Lost Chord UK.”

The London Landmarks Half Marathon takes place next on Sunday, April 4, 2027.

The route takes runners past iconic sites including Big Ben, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge.

Those who join Team Lost Chord UK are asked to raise a minimum of £350 and pay a £30 registration fee.

Each runner will receive a charity running top and full fundraising support.

To apply, visit lost-chord.org.uk/london-landmark-half-marathon-2027.

The Oxford International Song Festival, the UK’s largest festival dedicated to the art of classical song, will take place from October 9 to 24 and feature 59 events in celebration of its milestone year.

Centered around the theme of ‘Love Songs,’ the programme explores love in all its forms through music, poetry and conversation.

More than 150 artists will perform works spanning 800 years, from medieval Armenian songs to romantic masterpieces and new commissions.

Sholto Kynoch, artistic director of the Oxford International Song Festival, said: “When a small group of friends founded this Festival in 2002, none of us imagined where the journey would lead.

“Twenty-five years later, while the Festival has grown enormously, its heart remains exactly the same: a passion for the extraordinary world of song and the friendships that it creates.

“Love lies at the heart of so much great song, and this year’s Festival explores its countless expressions – joyful, heartbreaking, transformative and unexpected.”

The festival opens with a recital by Dame Sarah Connolly and will also include performances by Matthias Goerne, Roderick Williams, Alice Coote and Benjamin Appl.

Three world premieres are scheduled, including works by John Webb, Can Bilir and the festival’s associate composer, Emily Hazrati.

Mr Kynoch said: “As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we also celebrate the wonderful community of artists, audiences and supporters who have shaped the Festival over the past quarter of a century.

“Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning once again, we look forward to welcoming you to Oxford this October.”

The festival will be held in Oxford, including the newly opened Schwarzman Centre, which will host the opening concert.

A special Schubert Weekend will take place from October 17 to 18, exploring the composer’s life and work through immersive performances and discussions.

Chamber concerts, poetry readings and panel talks will also feature throughout the 16-day event.

In keeping with its commitment to accessibility, the festival will offer thousands of tickets for £20 or less, with many events priced between £7 and £10.

There will also be free events and £10 tickets available for anyone under 35.

Full programme details and ticket bookings are available at www.oxfordsong.org.

The box office can also be reached by phone on 01865 591276, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 1pm.

Freddie van Mierlo, MP for Henley and Thame, raised concerns in a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, highlighting delays at UK border control for families with young children – an issue he experienced personally during a recent return from holiday.

He said this process took 30 more minutes than for those able to use eGates.

Mr van Mierlo said: “It is unfair that families with young children have faced longer waits than single adults and couples this summer on return from holiday.

“How can it be that the longest line for UK citizens entering the UK is for young children, toddlers, and babies when they require much more attention and care?”

Under current rules, only those aged over 18 can use eGates unaccompanied, while children aged eight to 17 must be with an adult.

Those aged seven and younger are not eligible.

He said: “On return from holiday I noticed that only two guards were processing arrivals for families, with many more positions empty.

“In contrast, there were not one, but two guards standing ready to aid people passing through eGates.”

He has called on the Home Office to reconsider staffing allocations and improve the experience for families, especially those travelling through Heathrow and other major UK airports.

Mr van Mierlo added: “I hope to see concrete change in the coming weeks to cope with the summer holidays.”