Help the Sheffield ‘pram man’ raise his magic million

To celebrate his birthday Macmillan Cancer Support is recruiting 80 businesses, who will each pledge to raise at least £1,000 to help boost John’s fundraising target for the charity.

Hannah Lumb, regional fundraising manager for Macmillan, said: “We already have several businesses signed up to the challenge, all of them acknowledging what a hero he is and wanting to do their bit to help him reach his goal.

“Some have even said they can do more than £1,000 which is fantastic, as not only will it allow us to help more people, but it also brings John that much closer to realising his dream.”

Team Knowhow contact centre, near Sheffield Parkway, were one of the first to sign up. They recently held a dress down day for John and served ‘John Biscuits’ in their canteen.

Sarah McGregor, engagement lead for Team Knowhow, said: “We decided to support the brilliant John Burkhill on his “Magic Million” challenge as not only is John a Sheffield legend loved by everyone, but because of the importance of the work that Macmillan do. Here in our customer contact centre we have had colleagues who have battled this terrible disease, and friends and family members too, so Macmillan has always been a charity that we have supported.

“For this particular challenge the involvement of John just made it more personal – lots of our colleagues have seen John around, followed his story and donated, so being able to help him achieve his dream of making it to that “Magic Million”, and being part of such an amazing story, just makes us so proud.

“Donating to causes that our colleagues love not only benefits the charity, but it is deeply rewarding to our colleagues, and gives everyone a positive feeling knowing that they have helped”.

Known for his bright green wig and tireless fundraising campaign John earned his nickname of the “mad man with the pram” by pounding the streets over the past 20 years wearing a green wig and pushing a pram. John has raised around £350,000 for Macmillan so far.