'Marathon man' hits £1m milestone for second time

Tom MacDougall,North East and Cumbriaand
Mike Zeller,Radio Cumbria
News imageGary McKee Gary McKee holding a large sign with the number 100 in yellow letters against a dark grey background. He has short grey hair and a close-cropped beard, is wearing running gear, and smiling. He is standing on a grassy bank, with trees and a glimpse of a river just to the left.Gary McKee
Gary McKee has raised £1m for Hospice at Home West Cumbria by running 100 marathons in 100 days

A veteran fundraiser who completed 100 marathons in 100 days to raise money for his local hospice has hit his £1m milestone - for the second time.

Gary McKee, from Cleator Moor, took on the 26.2-mile (42km) daily routes from January to April, ending with the London Marathon to raise the final £100,000 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

The dad-of-three began running for the hospice in memory of his late father and previously raised another £1m in 2022 by running a marathon every day for a year.

He said: "When you convert that money into the help and support it'll give to people in West Cumbria, it's job done."

The 56-year-old has earned the title of "Marathon Man" locally and was appointed an MBE in the King's 2026 New Year Honours List.

He said he wanted to extend a "big thanks" to his family who supported him throughout the challenge, as well as to people who donated.

"There are people who've put a pound on the page, that's all they can give, but the single pounds are what made it for me - a pound makes a difference."

After completing the London Marathon in April, he said his sights were now set "on to the next one".

He said: "It's all about raising money, helping people and inspiring others to be better people."

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