John Burkhill: Legendary Sheffield fundraiser's Christmas message as he sets out on annual fundraising walk
Some families’ Christmas traditions include a trot around the block with the kids’ new bikes. John Burkhill’s is a 16-mile walk with a pram.
It’s December 25 in Sheffield, which means the one and only Man with the Pram is embarking on his annual charity walk for Macmillan.
Every year, the legendary green-wigged hero embarks on an expedition from Chesterfield Royal Hospital to the Macmillan Palliative Care Unit at the Northern General Hospital, stopping to meet his adoring fans on the way.
It’s just one of his many annual fundraising efforts in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, which to date has raised more than £1.2m.
Here, The Star takes a moment to look back on another incredible year, where he has raised over £50,000 - averaging £1,000 a week!
“I just want to wish everybody a very happy Christmas and to look after each other,” John told The Star.
“I always look forward to my Christmas walk. It’s lasted seven-or-eight years now and it’s raised quite a lot of money for Macmillan.
“I never know how long it’s going to take because I stop and speak to so many people.
“It’s very important to me to be there with them when someone speaks to me. My phone will ring and I won’t answer it because it would just be rude to that person who’s stopped for me.”
A household name in the Steel City, John, who turns 87 this January, is the man who in May 2023 was formally recognised for singlehandedly raising £1m for Macmillan Cancer Support through decades of marathons, bucket rattles and weekly walks through the city centre.
In August, he was voted the local hero to feature in a special mural for the 35th anniversary of Sheffield’s Meadowhall Shopping Centre as well as the landslide pick when Sheffield City Council issued a call for nominations for its ‘Sheffield Legends’ walk of fame scheme after a nine-year lull.
Life goes on, however, and after his astonishing achievements since then, including crossing the line at his 1,060th race, John says 2025 has been “a very sad year” all told.
In May, John sad goodbye to his daughter-in-law Diane at only 65-years-old.
John told The Star how Diane’s last word inspire him to this day: “Her last words to me were ‘Dad,’ - and I was proud of that, as I’m not her actual dad, but she always called me dad - she said, ‘Dad, carry on doing that you’re doing, get another million.’
“She was thinking about other people, not herself.
“I’m going to keep going as long as I can.
“It’s been a very sad year. Let’s hope it’ll be a better year next year.”
John said Diane was “a real Sheffield lass, absolute salt of the earth - she’d do anything for you.”
John says he often thinks of Diane as he heads out on his weekly Friday walks through Sheffield and bucket-rattles at football games. As The Star once found first hand, he has hundreds of fans and friends who see him regularly in the city centre for a catch up and to drop some coins in the pram.
You can support John on his Christmas Walk by donating to his JustGiving page here, where he is already well on his way to his second million.
A spokesperson for Macmillan said: "John is truly one in a million. Every step he takes with his much-loved pram has made a real difference to people living with cancer and their families and it was a special moment sharing with John when he hit the £1.2 million milestone earlier this month. It was incredibly humbling to walk with John through Sheffield city centre a few weeks ago and witness firsthand the warmth and admiration he inspires.
“We are so grateful to John and to the amazing people of Sheffield who have supported him along the way. Thank you! John you are a true Sheffield legend!”
If you are living with cancer, or supporting someone who is this festive season, Macmillan is here for you. Call its Support Line for free on 0808 808 0000 from 8am to 8pm 7 days a week including Christmas Day or visit www.macmillan.org.uk.
Its online cancer forum has over 80,000 members and is available 24 hours a day - visit the charity’s website for details.