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Rob Turner, John Burkhill and Steve Loane
71-year-old fundraiser John Burkhill has launched an appeal for 99 runners to join him in Team Macmillan for this year’s Great Yorkshire Run.
John, who’s been nominated by supporters from across South Yorkshire to be given the privilege of carrying the Olympic Torch through Sheffield has set this latest challenge to mark the charities centenary year. He would love for people from South Yorkshire to join him in Team Macmillan for this year’s Great Yorkshire Run on Sunday 9 October in Sheffield.
He has devoted his life to fundraising for the charity after his wife June died from cancer in 1989 aged just 55. A year later his daughter Karen died during a routine operation. Since then, John has taken part in 855 races – wearing his trademark green wig and pushing his decorated shopping trolley complete with Mascot.
He said: 'Being 71 years old proves the point that if you keep fit and healthy it really can do wonders for you. And I would be really proud if the people of South Yorkshire would join me in the race to show our support for a charity that has made such a huge difference to people’s lives over the last 100 years.'
'Being 71 years old proves the point that if you keep fit and healthy it really can do wonders for you. And I would be really proud if the people of South Yorkshire would join me in the race to show our support for a charity that has made such a huge difference to people’s lives over the last 100 years.'
Already John has persuaded two Macmillan staff to join him the run.
Rob Turner, Fundraising Manager for Sheffield says: 'When John tells you that he is 71 and see’s the 10K distance as a ‘walk in the park’ and that you will get around no problem - then you really don’t have much of a choice'.
'But John is an inspiration to me and so many other people and if anyone can find 100 people to run for Macmillan then it’s him.'
Macmillan’s Area Fundraising Manager Steve Loane will be joining John for the second time having walked the final leg of his 100 Sheffield Half Marathons last year.
Steve said: 'I don’t think either myself or Rob will be in the runners and riders to win the race, in fact I’ve asked John if he can offer me a lift in his pram if I need it. But the real reward for anybody taking part is to know that by joining Team Macmillan – you’ll be helping us to raise money to fund the services we offer in Sheffield. For example, if 100 people joined us and raised £100 each then we could fund a Macmillan cancer nurse specialist for nearly 3 months.'
Macmillan offer help, advice, information and support from the point of diagnosis onwards. In Sheffield Macmillan currently have 47 Macmillan professionals with expert knowledge to support local people living with cancer. Every year thousands of people in Sheffield are told they have cancer and they all need treatment and support. Macmillan are currently raising funds for eight vital services across the city including a Macmillan Nurse specialising in bowel cancer and a Macmillan Nurse specialising in head and neck cancer.
To join John in Team Macmillan log onto www.macmillan.org.uk/running| or call 01246 810 301. To register for the Great Yorkshire Run visit www.greatrun.org|