Beau McKee, a 10 year old schoolboy from Cumbria who is running a minimum of three miles every day throughout 2018 to raise money for Macmillan, is set to receive the Young Fundraiser Award at the star-studded Mirror’s Pride of Sport Awards, in partnership with TSB, on Thursday evening at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
The Awards, which are backed by Sport England, celebrate and recognise the unsung heroes of grassroots sport and honour people who have gone the extra mile to help others achieve their goals and those who have triumphed against adversity.
Beau, who has raised more than £20,000 so far, runs in all conditions including 33 degrees heat on holiday in Zante and through the Beast from the East. He even took his trainers on a school residential trip to York and was up at 5.45am each day to get his miles in.
Beau is taking on the challenge supported by his brother Alfie, 12, and his dad Gary, who in 2017 ran 100 marathons in 100 days, raising more than £103,000.
Sporting legends and other famous faces from the worlds of sport and showbiz due to attend include host Ben Shephard, Lawrence Dallaglio, Martin Johnson, Amber Davies, Lauren Steadman, AJ Pritchard, Trent Arnold Alexander, Jermaine Defoe, Jamie and Rebekah Vardy, Jenni Falconer, Jake Wood, Vernon Kay, Josh Denzel, Kaz Crossley, Greg Rutherford, Graham Swann, Oti Mabuse, David Haye, Barry McGuigan, Dame Kelly Holmes, Iwan Thomas, Jason Leonard, Kenny Logan, Martin Offiah, Rebecca Adlington, Mark Foster, Sam Quek, Lauren Pope, Courtney Green, Chloe Simms, David Seaman, Harry Judd, David Weir and Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson.
Host, Ben Shephard, said: “I love grassroots sport, and the way it brings people of all ages together. The joy of sport, whether that’s the exhilaration of winning, or the sheer fun of playing a game with friends, is a wonderful thing to share. Pride of Sport celebrates everyone who makes grassroots sport happen, and I’m delighted to be a part of it.”
Pete Markey, Chief Marketing Officer for TSB, said “TSB is incredibly proud of our continued partnership with both Pride of Britain and Pride of Sport. We believe in people helping people, and the communities they live in, to thrive.
“Pride of Sport celebrates those who have used sport to make a positive different to people and the communities they are a part of, up and down the country. It represents our nation’s local sporting heroes; people from the grassroots of sport, who’ve achieved something extraordinary for themselves, their friends and families, and for their communities.
“It’s fantastic to pay tribute to these incredible nominees and winners, who have inspired us all.”
