Cumbria’s Marathon Man has raised over £100,000 as he reaches day 167 of his epic challenge.
Gary McKee, of Cleator Moor, started his epic challenge of running a marathon every single day on January 1 and is aiming to raise £1 million for Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
When the challenge is completed, Gary will run more than 9,500 miles.
So far this year, Gary has:
- Run 4,400 miles
- Got through 20 pairs of running shoes
- Burnt over 780,000 calories
- Had 330-plus massage gun sessions
- Had 10 full-body massages
- Seen 350 charity tops sold
- Broadcast over 100 Facebook Lives
- Been supported by over 150 runners and cyclists from all around the UK
- Amassed 10,000-plus social media supporters
- Had over 500 brews at ‘Bill’s Brews’
Gary said: “The reason I’m doing this is that I’m lucky enough to be able to take on a physical challenge of this scale, and every day I think about all the people going through cancer treatment who face their own physical and emotional challenges.
“If I can support people going through cancer and other life-limiting illnesses while inspiring people to get out there and fundraise themselves, then every marathon I do every day is worth the effort.
“The support so far on the challenge has been fantastic, from our cake bakers, fellow runners, and fundraising team everyone is coming together for the cause. Halfway is in sight and everything is going well.”
The 53-year-old, who has supported Macmillan for over 18 years, completed a gruelling 110 consecutive marathons for his two chosen charities, raising an incredible £200,000 last year.
Last year support came in from across the world, with notable stars including Sir Mo Farah, Eamon Holmes and the St Helens rugby league team all getting behind Gary’s efforts and inspiring work, Gary is hoping he can get some familiar faces up to Cumbria to join in with him.
Gary was inspired to start fundraising for Macmillan after his father was diagnosed with cancer in 1997, his father died from an unrelated illness in 2003. Back in 2017, Gary was the recipient of ITV Border’s Fundraiser of the Year for the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards, after running 100 marathons in 100 days to raise £100,000 for Macmillan.
Stella Walsh,fundraising and communications team leader from Hospice at Home West Cumbria, said: “The grit and determination from Gary throughout this challenge is extraordinary. There are no words to convey how grateful we are for his commitment to supporting our charity.
“Every penny that Gary continues to raise is helping us continue to provide our specialist services to patients and their families in our local communities.”
Sue McDonald, Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising manager, said: “Gary truly is beyond incredible. It’s not just the physical feat of running a marathon ever single day that makes him extraordinary – it’s the people and support that he inspires through this selfless challenge.
“He’s already smashed the £100k fundraising mark and we are so grateful to the businesses and communities that have got behind from across Cumbria and the UK. Thank you, Gary, for helping Macmillan do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.”
To support Gary’s challenge by visiting https://justgiving.com/fundraising/threesixfive
