'Cancer holds no prisoners' says Sheffield's John Burkhill in well-wishing message to King Charles III

John Burkhill has been fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Research for over 16 years.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Sheffield's John Burkhill has urged King Charles III to "keep his spirits up" as he undergoes treatment for cancer.

The 85-year-old fundraiser, who sadly lost his wife to cancer in 1991, took to social media, after Buckingham Palace announced The King would be stopping public duties during his treatment.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "I want to wish His Majesty King Charles all the very best as he undergoes treatment for cancer.

"Cancer holds no prisoners and I wish him all the best and I hope he keeps his spirits up. I'm looking forward to meeting him again soon."

The news of The King's diagnosis came after recent treatment for an enlarged prostate. The Palace has confirmed it is not prostate cancer.

King Charles has started treatment and has been advised to postpone public-facing duties.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It has not been revealed what type of cancer The King has, but he began a "schedule of regular treatment" as an outpatient on Monday.

John has been fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support for the last 17 years. He has become a popular character in Sheffield, a local legend, and is instantly recognisable with his decorated pram and green wig.

In 1991, John's wife, June, sadly passed away due to cancer, a year to the day after the unexpected death of their daughter, Karen.

The pram John is seen pushing around, and has become synonymous with, is the very same pram he and June had bought for Karen when she was young.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
John Burkhill, Sheffield's own green-wigged hero and perhaps better known as the 'man with the pram' raised over £1,000,000 for Macmillan Cancer Research.John Burkhill, Sheffield's own green-wigged hero and perhaps better known as the 'man with the pram' raised over £1,000,000 for Macmillan Cancer Research.
John Burkhill, Sheffield's own green-wigged hero and perhaps better known as the 'man with the pram' raised over £1,000,000 for Macmillan Cancer Research.

In May 2023, after 16 years of fundraising, the Man with the Pram reached his £1 million fundraising goal for Macmillan.

His incredible work has been recognised in many different ways, including a Pride of Britain Award in the tail-end of last year, with his full title now being John Burkhill BEM Bar, BCAv.

Sheffielders now think the next thing on the list has to be a knighthood.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.