Harold John Burkhill BEM (born January 1939) is an English fundraiser who was awarded a British Empire Medal for his effort, particularly to fight cancer. Since 2007, he has been raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support under the moniker "Man with the Pram" while dressed in an outfit consisting of a green curly wig.
John Burkhill | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harold John Burkhill January 1939 (age 85) |
| Other names | The Man with the Pram |
| Known for | Raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support |
Fundraising
editIn May 2023, he raised over £1million for Macmillan Cancer Support.[1][2] He began working in fundraising in 1967:[3]
In 1966, I played football for the Express Dairy team and one of our players took part in the Old Sheffield Star Walk, which was a famous race in Sheffield, thousands used to watch it. I decided to have a go myself and in 1967 I trained very hard for the race, but I was no match for a great friend of mine John Warhurst, who not only won the Star walk but went on to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. I competed every year in the Star walk, until it finished in the Millennium year 2000.
— John Burkhill (2010)
He has run in every Sheffield marathon since 1982. Burkhill was chosen to carry the Olympic torch in Chapeltown on 25 June 2012.
Man with the Pram
editBurkhill started donning the "Man with the Pram" outfit in 2007. One of his biggest motivations to raise money for Cancer research was when his wife June died in 1993 from cancer aged 55.[3] John's wife died the same day their grandchild Daniel was born.[3][4] As of May 2024, Burkhill has competed in 1,045 races that raise money for charity, including the London Marathon.[5]
His "Man with the Pram" character includes wearing a green shirt with "Macmillan Cancer Support" written on it, a green curly wig, a stuffed teddy bear called "Biggles", which is inside a pram that was his daughter Karen's, a pram he bought for her for £4.10 in 1961.[3][6][7] A film about Burkhill was made in 2020.[8]
Personal life
editHarold John Burkhill was born in Darnall, Sheffield[3] in January 1939. He was married to June until her death from cancer in 1993, aged 55.[3] In 1991, their daughter, Karen, died at age 29 from complications sustained after surgery.[6] Burkhill now lives in Richmond Park, in Sheffield.[6] In the 1960s, John worked as a truck driver.[3]
Awards and honours
editFor the 2013 New Year Honours, Burkhill was awarded the British Empire Medal.[9] In 2023, he won the Pride of Britain Awards for ITV fundraiser of the year.[10] Also in 2023, then prime minister Rishi Sunak named John Points of Light, an award which recognises volunteers, charity leaders and community champions..[2][11]
References
edit- ^ Ulke, Alstair (18 May 2024). "Out in Sheffield with the legendary John Burkhill". The Star. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Sheffiels's Man with the Pram John Burkhill wins award from PM for cancer fundraising". ITVX. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Sheffield's mad walker with the pram,John Burkhill, "Even the Queen thinks I am barmy."". Alternative lives. 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ Lewis, Claire. "Pride of Britain: Who is John Burkhill and why has he raised £1m for Macmillan". The Star. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ "John Burkhill: Sheffield celebrates Pram Man's £1m milestone". BBC News. 2023-08-17. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ a b c "Legendary Richmond Park customer - Pride of Britain". Great Places. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Sheffield's John Burkhill wins award from PM for cancer fundraising". BBC News. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Fore, Nick (2020-05-16), The Man with the Pram (Documentary, Short), John Burkhill, Goblin Town Films, retrieved 2024-08-11
- ^ "Supporting John 'Man with the pram' Burkhill's magic million for Macmillan". JustGiving. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "ITV Fundraiser - Pride of Britain Awards". Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "Sheffield's John Burkhill wins award from PM for cancer fundraising". BBC News. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2024-08-11.