Macmillan volunteers recognised as Coronation Champions

News
Published: 28 April 2023

We are thrilled that two of our Macmillan volunteers, Gary McKee and Geoff Stonebanks, have been crowned Coronation Champions! 

A collage which features a photo of Gary on the left and a photo of Geoff on the right. Gary is seen outside wearing running gear. Geoff is outside sat in a garden.

The Coronation Champions Awards celebrates the work of extraordinary volunteers across the UK.
 
A total of 500 volunteers have been selected as Coronation Champions and will receive an official Coronation Champions pin badge, a signed certificate from Their Majesties, and an invite to one of the Coronation Celebrations, such as the Windsor Castle Coronation Concert or a Coronation Garden Party.

Remembering the devastating day when he was told that his dad had cancer, Gary (on left in picture above) decided to fundraise for Macmillan to help others going through similar difficult times. 2022 marked his most ambitious challenge yet when he decided to run a full marathon every single day of the year. Not only did Gary achieve this awe-inspiring feat, he also raised more than £1 million pounds for Macmillan along the way. 

For the past 12 years, Geoff (on right pictured above) has used his passion for gardening and his amazing planning and organisational skills to raise £110,000 for the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton. After beginning to raise money by opening his own multi-award-winning garden to the public, he went on to set up the annual Macmillan Coastal Garden Trail running from Seaford to Brighton.

Gary and Geoff are also finalists at our upcoming Thanks To You Awards. Congratulations to Gary and Geoff and we hope you enjoy your celebrations!

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