Gary Read, 44, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer on June 11, 2025. On New Year’s Eve he was told the disease is terminal and that he has only weeks left to live.
Since then, an outpouring of support from the running community and beyond has seen thousands raised in days for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Gary Read, a Quakers runner who is well loved within the community
Gary Read, a Quakers runner who is well loved within the community (Image: PROVIDED)
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A former assistant highways engineer with Darlington Borough Council and a well-known figure in local running circles, Gary has spoken about choosing gratitude over anger as he faces the end of his life.
He lives in Darlington with his wife Rachel, 42, and his children Sophie, 25 and Kieran, 22.
A fundraiser organised for a Darlington dad Gary Read given just weeks to live has smashed past 10,000 pounds in around four days. (Image: PROVIDED)
Gary previously told The Northern Echo: “As you can imagine, this has broken our world in two and telling my children and parents has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
“I have been told I have a few weeks but I still feel there is a lot of fight left in me, apart from exhaustion I think I could still run a marathon and I want to keep the good spirits until the end.
“If you have two weeks or two years left why spend the time miserable or angry that you’ve been dealt a bad hand instead I just want to try and be as happy and enjoy every moment as possible.
“It sounds selfish but I am glad it is me who is ill and not my children, parents or wife. It is extremely hard for them but I am so grateful that they are putting on a brave face, just so eternally grateful to them and everyone for their support.”
Gary with his daughter Sophie Read, 25
Gary with his daughter Sophie Read, 25 (Image: PROVIDED)
Gary was forced to retire from his role with Darlington Borough Council after eight years due to ill health.
He said: “I have had to recently retire from my job with Darlington Borough Council after eight years being a Highways engineer due to ill health and me dying. The council and everyone there have been sublime.
“I hope anyone in my situation could have support like I have had. I couldn’t have asked for a better employer, I have never felt any pressure from start to finish on this journey.
“Its been really touching. It was so hard to leave a job I loved and I do feel this disease has robbed it from me. I thoroughly loved my job and it was a big purpose for me which is quite hard.”
Gary Read (left), Paul Cook (right) running in a park run together, Paul has organised the run for Gary (Image: PROVIDED)
Tomorrow, runners, friends and family will gather at South Park in Darlington at 10.30am for a 5k run in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and Gary.
Gary hopes to complete a lap with different groups so he can see as many people as possible. Organisers plan for the event to become an annual memorial run in his honour.
The fundraiser linked to the run has already raised more than £10,000 in about four days.
