Virgin Money has announced a three-year extension to its sponsorship of the London Marathon, with the world's leading marathon now proudly bearing the name Virgin Money London Marathon up to and including the fortieth race in 2020.

The news came as Virgin Money Giving celebrated its sixth birthday. It was the London Marathon that inspired Virgin Money to create its not-for-profit, online fundraising website, which will continue as the official fundraising partner for the event.

In the six years since its launch in 2009, donations through Virgin Money Giving have exceeded £344 million – over £407 million including Gift Aid. Due to its not-for-profit business model and lower fees, an estimated £12.8 million extra has reached charities compared to the same amount being raised through Just Giving, the sector's other leading fundraising website.

Virgin Money first became sponsors of the London Marathon in 2010, with the ambition to help runners raise over £250 million for charity over five years. That record was surpassed in 2014 and with a further £54.1 million raised in 2015, the overall total has now swelled to over £315 million since the Virgin Money sponsorship began.

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Chief Executive of Virgin Money, said: "I am delighted to announce an extension to Virgin Money's sponsorship of the London Marathon, up to and including the 2020 race. I was one of the 37,675 people who participated in the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon, so I speak with personal experience when I say that it is an incredibly moving and inspirational day. Not only does the London Marathon attract elite athletes from around the globe, tens of thousands of people run to raise money for good causes, making it the world's biggest annual one-day fundraising event, year after year.

"We are proud to support this record-breaking fundraising feat through Virgin Money Giving, which has just hit its sixth birthday. Virgin Money Giving doesn't take a penny in profit and that means so much more money goes directly on to the charities".

Following the confirmation of funds raised from the 2015 Virgin Money London Marathon, the total raised for charity by the world's greatest marathon has now reached more than £770 million, since the event was founded in 1981.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the London Marathon, said: "Our partnership with Virgin Money has been ground-breaking in its fundraising and we're delighted that it will now continue to our fortieth race in 2020. We look forward to creating more history together".