'Paula the Polar Bear' aims to top £3m for charity

A PE teacher from Worcestershire who runs marathons dressed as a polar bear for charity is due to be recognised with a British Citizen Award.

Gillian Punt, from Bromsgrove, has raised more than £2m for cancer charities over the past 27 years and is now hoping to take the total to £3m.

Her fundraising began after the loss of her father to bile duct cancer in 1999, and she was further motivated after a pupil at her school died from brain cancer just five days before her 16th birthday.

Punt has organised a range of fundraising events, from celebrity cricket matches to community coffee mornings as well has completing more than 30 marathons and more than 80 half marathons.

Her efforts have earned her two Guinness World Records: the fastest marathon time in a full body animal costume and the fastest ice marathon time by a female runner dressed as a mammal.

In August, Punt is dressing up again as "Paul the Polar Bear" and will be running the Sydney Marathon.

This would mark the launch of her drive towards the £3m total, she said.

"Paula's journey has grown from one promise into more than 30 marathons, two Guinness World Records, all six [major marathons], a marathon in the Arctic, and a community of students, families and everyday runners who have joined the mission," Punt said.

"I am still a middle aged mum of three and a full time PE teacher in a polar bear suit, but the story continues to connect with people who see themselves in it."

Commenting on her British Citizen Award, she added: "It is a lovely recognition of the fundraising journey and the thousands of supporters who have helped Paula reach this point."

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