A son who ran 58 half-marathons in 58 days to honour his mother, who died of a stroke at 58, has won Australia’s top fundraising award.

Jack Buckley was named Fundraiser of the Year at the 2026 National Stroke Awards during a ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday 15 October.

Buckley, from Wollongong in New South Wales, named his campaign Jacky Boy’s 58 for YOU in memory of his mother, Keryn, who died in February 2025. The number 58 runs through everything he does, as it was her age when she died, and running 58 half-marathons in 58 consecutive days last year was his first tribute.

He continued in 2026, completing 6,8 km loops with short rests for 58 consecutive hours from Friday 12 June to Sunday 14 June. The challenge came just days before Keryn would have turned 60.
He raised a combined A$42 180,42 (R485 899,04) across all his fundraising efforts.

The Stroke Foundation is an Australian charity dedicated to preventing stroke, saving lives and enhancing recovery. Founded in 1996, it recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. The Fundraiser of the Year category recognises people who have gone above and beyond to raise funds and awareness for stroke in Australia.

ALSO READ: Cigarette smoke research in Bishop Lavis show increase in blood pressure

Stroke Foundation CEO Dr Lisa Murphy said Buckley’s efforts had not only raised vital funds but had helped educate hundreds of Australians about stroke prevention and awareness, all while managing his own grief.

“Jack is such a deserving winner of this award. He is an absolute champion who has demonstrated an incredible commitment to the cause,” Murphy said. “He has managed to do all of this while managing his own grief, and that’s a testament to the kind of person Jack is.”

In 2027, Buckley will continue his fundraising journey as a member of the Stroke Foundation’s London Marathon team.

He marked the win on Facebook, writing: “Grateful beyond words. I know you’d be proud mumma. 2027 loading, we ain’t done yet.”

ALSO READ: ‘Queen of Hearts’ laces up for Mrs South Africa after cheating death three times