A BROMSGROVE teacher who has raised over £2million for cancer charities while dressed as a polar bear is set to receive a British Citizen Award (BCA) to celebrate their outstanding contributions to society.
Gillian Punt is among 28 exceptional people to be honoured at a medal presentation at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday, July 23.
The presentation will see Gillian receive the coveted BCA Medal of Honour for Services to Volunteering and Charitable Giving .
Gillian has raised more than £2million for cancer charities during the past 28 years following the loss of her father Mike to bile duct cancer.
Her motivation for fundraising deepened further when a pupil at South Bromsgrove High School, where she taught PE, died from brain cancer just five days before her 16th birthday.
She has organised a wide range of fundraising events, from pro-celebrity cricket matches to community coffee mornings and has completed more than 30 marathons and over 80 half-marathons.
Her efforts have also earned her two Guinness World Records: the fastest marathon in a full-body animal costume and the fastest ice marathon as a mammal.
Both were achieved as Paula the Polar Bear for Cancer Research UK.
She has also completed the world’s six ‘Major Marathons’, having run the 26.2-mile courses in London, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Boston and Berlin.
Gillian holds a BEM and last year passed the £2million fundraising mark at the London Marathon.
And she has recently said that her next target was to raise £3million.
She won the BBC Hereford and Worcester Make a Difference award for fundraising last September, after being nominated by her daughter.
Cancer Research UK has been very supportive of Gill’s efforts over the years, regularly celebrating her achievements. The charity has described her efforts as ‘nothing short of incredible.’
Stephanie Wood from British Citizen Award partner, One Stop, said: “This year’s medalists exemplify the incredible support within our communities, especially during challenging times.
“We’re honoured to partner with the British Citizen Awards and play a part in recognising these exceptional individuals.”
The presentation, hosted by TV and Radio presenter Matt Allwright, will be attended by BCA Patrons Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers, and The Lord Mott.
