'I've raised nearly £2m in memory of dad'

Gill Punt raised £16,000 after her last marathon

A teacher who has spent 26 years running to raise money for Cancer Research, despite the fact she does not "particularly enjoy" the sport, is close to reaching a lifetime total of £2m.

Gill Punt's fundraising endeavours began after her father was diagnosed with bile duct cancer.

"He went bright yellow one weekend and went into hospital to have some tests but unfortunately, it was the worst case scenario," she said.

Ms Punt, a PE teacher from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, has so far raised more than £1.94m and aims to pass the £2m mark at the next run.

"I'm hoping to hit my goal at the polar night marathon in the Arctic Circle," she said.

Ms Punt said her father, who died in 1999, put on a brave face for the family as his illness rapidly progressed.

"He was very stoic, positive, and refused to be angry about it, and he felt that he would try and make the most of every single day that he was given."

She completed her first marathon to "put a smile on dad's face and raise some money for charity."

She said: "My father was a very good sportsman, and whenever the London Marathon was on, he'd be tucking into his full English breakfast, watching it on the TV and say: 'Well, that's all very impressive, but anyone can put on a pair of trainers and shuffle around.'"

"It became a family joke," she said, "so that's why I did my first marathon back in 1999."

Ms Punt completed her 26th marathon on 10 November in Athens, Greece, helping to raise £16,000 for Cancer Research UK.

"I've done over 70 half marathons, and probably over 100 10km runs, and numerous Race For Life 5km runs."

Although she admits her fundraising efforts have snowballed she said helping find a cancer cure has kept her motivated.

"I still don't particularly enjoy running, but we've just got to keep going because, although, yes, it's a lot of money, there's still a long way to go to get cures.

"So I will keep going until we get to the ultimate finishing line - a world without cancer."