THERE are fundraisers, and there is Gary McKee.

There are people who join runs or run marthons for charity - and there is Gary McKee.

There are... actually there are few, if any, comparisons with our homegrown million pound marathon man, Gary McKee,  who has just ended a year-long marathon challenge.

Gary set off on his challenge of running a marathon every day this year on New Year's Day 2022.

Many of us get caught up with New Year resolutions but few, if any, would have kept to them the way this man has.

Now, as you read this, the task is done. He has aleady raised upwards of £1 million and this is only his latest challenge, albeit the most gruelling.

Gary McKee was born with fundraising in his veins.

He is from the small town of Cleator Moor but is known throughout Cumbria and his name should be recognised throughout the country.

By December 20 - our latest update at time of writing - Gary had run through rain, wind and snow and gone through 20+ pairs of trainers, burnt 1.3 million calories, and raised over £200,000 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria and Macmillan Cancer Support.

By the time Gary’s By Sundaym=, Janbuary 1, he had run more than 9,400 miles - and raised more than £1million for his charities.

The reason for this marathon of marathons is simple: “I’m doing this is because I’m lucky enough to be able to take on a physical challenge of this scale, and every day I think about all the people going through cancer treatment who face their own physical and emotional challenges."

While this is a challenge that goes beyond what could be called amazing, it is certainly not the first thing he has done, especially for Macmillan Cancer Support, for which he is now an ambassador.

In 2004 he did a sponsored bike ride around Brazil.

In 2007 he and two friends trekked across the South Island of New Zealand raising £20,000.

He ran from John O'Groats to Land's End in 2011 to raise money and awareness of the Macmillan charity which was celebrating its centenary.

Gary has had some rewards: He was one of those given the honour of carrying the 2012 London Olympics torch as it made its way through the country and on Sunday his exploits  hit the national press and telelvision.

It is not recognition that drives him,  however, but a desire to help those who depend on charities such as Macmillan.

It is a job well done, Gary. You are a hero.