Former A&T reporter Fred McKie running London Marathon in support of Pancreatic Cancer UK to honour late mother-in-law

A FORMER A&T reporter is taking on this year’s London Marathon in memory of his late mother-in-law.

Fred McKie is aiming to raise £2,500 for Pancreatic Cancer UK in honour of former New Milton resident Sarah Carr.

A sports enthusiast who enjoyed equestrian events, tennis and cricket in her younger days, Ms Carr was also the first women’s XI captain at Lymington Cricket Club.

Born in Highcliffe, Ms Carr, who was 69, lived in Hordle and later New Milton over the past four decades.

She died in May 2024, six months after receiving a diagnosis of stage four pancreatic cancer, and is survived by her children Jason and Paula, both former Arnewood School students.

Just weeks before she passed away, Sarah watched last year’s London Marathon with Mr McKie and suggested he should run it one day.

Mr McKie, who worked at the A&T from 1999 to 2003, returned to England in July 2023 after 20 years in his native Australia.

The 46-year-old is a member of Lymington Cricket Club, where he met his wife Paula.

Last summer he made several second XI appearances as wicketkeeper in Hampshire League Division Two, and last May was also one of five locals who completed the 26-mile Oakhaven Walk in memory of Paula’s stepfather Richard ‘Dickie’ Gray. Mr McKie said: “Mum 2, as I fondly called Sarah, was a wonderfully kind and generous woman.

“The timing of her diagnosis was particularly cruel, occurring just two weeks after Dickie’s death and within four months of her daughter – my wife Paula – returning home after 20 years away in Australia.

“Mum was very family-oriented, and from what had been an extremely exciting time for her, it turned into a very difficult time for us all.”

He continued: “What’s driving me is that my efforts, in supporting Pancreatic Cancer UK’s research and development, will provide a better outcome for other families.

“The marathon is going be an extremely emotional day. Mum will be in my thoughts the whole way around and I imagine it’ll be pretty tough running my fastest with tears in my eyes.

“But for this marathon, it’s not about the time. It’s about honouring mum and making a difference.”

Donations towards Mr McKie’s fundraiser can be made via the Enthuse website at bit.ly/runfredrun