The Man with the Pram
2153. John Burkhill
John Burkhill BEM Bar BCAv, aged 84, from Sheffield, known as ‘The Man with the Pram’ has raised over £1 million for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of his late wife June and daughter Karen.
John wanted to dedicate himself to raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, helping others affected by cancer, after his daughter died suddenly in 1991, followed a year later by his wife. When John originally started fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support, he set himself the goal of raising £250,000, but that soon changed and he reached £1 million in May 2023, which he has since surpassed by almost £60,000 and he has vowed to continue fundraising for the charity.
Over the last five decades, John has competed in 1,043 races across the UK, including the London marathon numerous times, all while pushing his daughter’s pram and raising money for the charity.
John’s award coincides with the Macmillan Coffee Morning, Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest fundraising event, which has taken place every year since 1990. On this day, people across the UK host and attend Coffee Mornings, with donations received going towards Macmillan Cancer Support services.
In a personal letter to John, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
“Famed throughout Sheffield as The Man With The Pram, you have completed more than one thousand races pushing your daughter’s pram, and far surpassed your staggering personal target of raising £1 million.
“Your fundraising, and the contributions you have inspired, is helping Macmillan in providing vital help for millions of cancer patients every year.
“Your strength and determination to give back to others in the memory of your loved ones is a true inspiration – not just to the people of Sheffield, but to the whole country.”
Claire Rowney, Executive Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Innovation at Macmillan Cancer Support said:
“We are thrilled for John who fully deserves this award and all the recognition that comes his way. He is a true beacon of inspiration who lights up the streets of Sheffield every day and every race he partakes in. To raise more than a million pounds for Macmillan is astonishing and we couldn’t support people living with cancer if it wasn’t for wonderful fundraisers like John.”
John said:
“To receive this Point of Light Award is truly humbling and a real honour. Like every single award I get honoured with, it’s for the people of Sheffield and everyone who has put money in my bucket to help people living with and affected by cancer.”
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