A fundraiser has completed his mission of running a marathon every day of 2022, and has surpassed his target of raising £1m for charity. Gary McKee, 53, from Cleator Moor in Cumbria, raised his arms in victory and was cheered by a crowd of supporters as he completed his 365th marathon of the year on New Year’s Eve. He has raised more than £1m for the charities Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospice at Home West Cumbria. The father of three has gone through 22 pairs of trainers and has run 9,563 miles in rain, snow and sunshine to raise money for the charities. He often ran his 26.2-mile route in the morning before starting a shift as group leader at nuclear site Sellafield. As he crossed the finish line, he thanked the crowd for the “fantastic” reception. He told the BBC: “The streets were lined. It was raining, but everybody was out clapping and shouting. It was fantastic seeing everybody there. It’s something I’ll always remember.” McKee has a history of extraordinary physical feats having climbed Kilimanjaro, trekked through New Zealand, run from Land’s End to John o’Groats, completed the Three Peaks Challenge in less than 24 hours, jumped out of planes and walked across hot coals. He has previously run 100 marathons in 100 days and 110 marathons in 110 days. When McKee took part in his first London marathon, he ran to the capital from his home in Cleator Moor. At the starting line of his 365th marathon in Cleator Moor on Saturday morning, he told BBC One’s Breakfast programme: “The support has been phenomenal and it always is and the West Cumbrians get behind us, but cancer affects everybody so it isn’t just a West Cumbrian thing, it’s a national thing. “I just hope that people do get behind us and we do raise that million pounds. If we don’t, it won’t be because I haven’t run 365 marathons. We’ll celebrate the day, have a good laugh on the route and I’m looking forward to finishing.” McKee has been raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support for two decades, a mission he traces back to his father Victor’s cancer diagnosis in 1997. His father died in 2005 from an unrelated illness. Macmillan Cancer Support tweeted: “Gary McKee has crossed the finish line! A brilliant way to end the year! “Congratulations for completing 365 marathons in 2022, that’s a total of 9,563 miles and raising more than £1,000,000 – a phenomenal feat of grit and sheer determination.” The director of funding and communications for Hospice At Home West Cumbria, Hayley McKay, said: “It’s difficult to put into words how grateful we are to Gary for taking on this unbelievable challenge. The physical and mental strength he has shown is incomprehensible. “Gary has not only raised money for two fantastic charities, he has sprinkled magic on the local community and brought people together supporting him with the challenge.” The runner has also inspired others to join him. Chris Young, 29 – who ran 90 marathons with Mr McKee – said: “Gary ignited a fire in my belly this year when I began running frequently with him and has given me both physical and mental resilience that I don’t know if I would have ever discovered in myself in a million years. “I know I don’t just speak for myself on that front as he has inspired not just me or the few, but the entire local community and beyond. “This challenge has raised a phenomenal amount of money for two fantastic charities, but the impact Gary has provided to the community and people around him is immeasurable. “There’s going to be a lot of people’s lives a lot better off thanks to Gary’s efforts, myself included.” England rugby coach Kevin Sinfield joined McKee for a run and described his challenge as “mind-blowing”. He said: “He’s a brilliant man and it was an honour to be with him in Cumbria to support what he’s doing. “He supported me in my last challenge and it was really nice to get together and run and chat and laugh with him.” To donate, go to go to McKee’s JustGiving page.