Sponsored runners team-up as Gary McKee trains John Maxwell for The Great North Run.

John Maxwell of Danica's Dream Fund, is entering the marathon to raise funds for his daughter's charity. He said: "I've got 5 places in The Great North Run, they all went in a week."

Danica passed away in 2010 and her final wish was to help other sufferers of cancer. Mr Maxwell has been campaigning for the cause ever since. John's latest effort is to participate in The Great North Run, along with patrons of the charity, to raise sponsorship money.

Mr Maxwell has called in an experienced marathon runner, who this year competed in the same run in aid of Danica's Dream Fund. In April of 2017, Gary McKee also concluded a 100 marathon endurance challenge with The London Marathon. Mr McKee said: "I've been a fundraiser for Macmillan for the last 15 years."

The 100 marathons charity challenge generated £120,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Gary's son Beau has since followed in his footsteps, starting his own endurance test to raise funds for Macmillan. Beau has taken on the challenge of running at least three miles every day, smashing the original target and collecting £23,629.

The Maxwells and the McKees will now team-up in preparation for September's Great North Run. Shameem Arnold of Moky Fit is also helping out as she has invited John to her weekly classes, free of charge. Speaking of John's preparation, Gary said: "He's gotta understand what he wants to get out of it himself," Gary calls this, "the starting point for all of us."

Gary spoke of his role as a coach to some of the Dream Fund runners: "I coached rugby teams before, I know how to motivate people and get the most out of folk but in running I know how it works for me."

However, he may not need to use his skills as a motivator, Mr Maxwell has said that he is driven to give sufferers support in any way he can because he knows what it is like to spend every day in hospitals. John has previously said: "I'm pushing for the quarter of a million. I won't stop till I do."

Beau and Gary have won awards for their charity work respectively. Gary McKee was granted Freedom of the Borough by Copeland council and his son Beau was honoured with Special Recognition at West Cumbria's Community Heroes Awards.