Hospice fundraiser to run 100 miles in 24 hours

Gary McKee has completed a number of long-distance challenges, including running 365 marathons in 365 days

A veteran fundraiser, who ran a marathon every day for a year, is attempting to run 100 miles in 24 hours.

Gary McKee will run loops of 12.5 miles (20km) every three hours, setting off at 09:00 BST from Cleator Moor, near Whitehaven, Cumbria.

He is raising funds for Hospice at Home West Cumbria in memory of his friend Brian Telford.

Mr McKee said: "Hospice care doesn't stop in any 24-hour period, so why should I?"

In 2022, the father-of-three raised one million pounds by running a 26.2-mile (42km) route every day for a year, often before starting work at the Sellafield nuclear site.

In 2023, he completed the Grand to Grand Ultra, a 171-mile (275km) foot race starting at the Grand Canyon in Arizona and finishing at the Grand Staircase in Utah.

Gary McKee wore out 20 pairs of shoes in 2022 when he ran a marathon every day

Supporters and volunteers have arranged activities in the hall to support Mr McKay's attempt, including a dog show and an open mic night, with bacon butties in the morning.

Hayley McKay, director of funding and communications at Hospice at Home West Cumbria, said the team were so "very grateful" for everything he had done for them and for the support of the local community.

"The day at St John’s in the Hall will be jam-packed with activities and it would be fantastic if people can come out and support Gary at each three-hour interval," she added.