Sheffield Man with a Pram hits £1m cancer fundraising target

After more than 16 years and 1,000 races, fundraiser John Burkhill has reached his £1m target for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of his wife.

Known as The Man With The Pram and instantly recognisable for his bright green wig, the 84-year-old from Sheffield began fundraising in 2007.

He has taken part in 1,038 races, including the London and New York marathons collecting money as he walks.

Mr Burkhill said he was “honestly lost for words” after hitting his target.

“I’m truly humbled by it all and blown away,” he said.

“People have said I’m a hero and legend, but those people who have put money in the bucket and donated, they are the heroes. 

“I can’t thank everyone enough for their support. They all might think I’m a bit daft, in the nicest possible way, but they got right behind what I’m trying to do for those affected by cancer.

“It seemed an impossible dream with an old pram, and a crazy thing for an old man to do but we’ve done it.” 

Mr Burkhill lost his wife, June, to cancer in 1993 – a year to the day after they lost their daughter, Karen, during a routine procedure.

He initially set a target of £250,000 but, after he hit that in 2013, he turned to what he called the “magic million” mark.

With his wig and giant foam hands, he is a regular sight on the streets of the city, pushing the pram he bought for his late daughter in 1961.

He was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2013 for his fundraising, with a second bar for the medal in 2021. He was also given the British Citizen Award in January

Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, who will receive the £1m, said the charity was “immensely proud of John and so grateful for his incredible effort over the last 15 years”.

“It is difficult to put into words just how phenomenal this achievement is, as John embodies everything that is good in humanity,” she said.

“He is selfless beyond measure, having overcome such personal tragedy, and has put everybody else first before himself. John really has done whatever it takes for people living with cancer in trekking across the city most days, whatever the weather, and taking part in countless races across country pushing his late daughter’s pram.

“We thank you, John, from the bottom of our hearts.”