Marathon Man
848. Gary McKee
Gary McKee, from Cumbria, has raised £100,000 for ‘Macmillan Cancer Support’ by running 100 marathons over 100 consecutive days, which ended with the London Marathon in April this year.
As a thank you to the charity for their support of his father who passed away in 2003, Gary launched a fundraising campaign that grew to include over 1,700 sponsors. He inspired hundreds of others to join him at different phases of the gruelling physical challenge, and his local brewery even started selling a beer named ‘Marathon Man’ in aid of his efforts. The success of his campaign has given vital support for people affected by cancer, and he is continuing his fundraising next year with a 112-mile cycling challenge.
In a personal letter to Gary, Prime Minister Theresa May said:
“By completing 100 marathons over 100 consecutive days, you have demonstrated remarkable personal resilience and strength. You have raised over £100,000 for ‘Macmillan Cancer Support’ and inspired thousands of people to donate, including your local Cumbrian brewery that named their beer ‘Marathon Man’ in your honour. You should feel enormously proud of having achieved so much in memory of your father and also of making a real difference to the work of the charity.”
Gary said: