Sunday 21 April 2013

24 HOUR CHALLENGE COOLLY COMPLETED

Tony ‘the Fridge’ Phoenix-Morrison, from Hebburn, has completed his toughest challenge to date for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The granddad, who will turn 49 this week, successfully completed The Appliances Online 24 Hour Challenge by running for 24 hours carrying a 42kg Smeg fridge.

Tony says: “It’s been tough, very tough, but knowing I was raising money for a charity that’s really making a difference to people fighting cancer helped pull me along.  And all the encouragement from the general public, the messages of support, the cars beeping and all the donations just made a world of difference to me.

“The support I’ve had has blown me away.  It’s just been incredible.  I couldn’t have done this without my support team who stayed with me and looked after me so well.

“I’ve been through 24 hours of toil and struggle to demonstrate the burden of cancer.  But I can take my weight off and take the struggle off my shoulders.

“For everybody who is fighting cancer, this challenge was for you.”

Tony covered an incredible 60 miles during the challenge running one mile laps around Newcastle’s Quayside and was monitored by a team from Northumbria University’s Physiology of Exercise Department. 

He was challenged to undertake the marathon effort by Appliances Online, the UK's largest online kitchen appliance retailer and the retail giant is donating £15,000 to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

John Roberts, chief executive of Appliances Online, says: “The Appliances Online 24 Hour Challenge was always going to be incredibly tough for Tony. He has done brilliantly to run solidly for 24 hours carrying a six stone fridge and cover 60 miles in that time and we know he has given it his all.

“We are delighted to donate £15,000 to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation in recognition of his attempt, and would like to thank Tony and his supporters for all their efforts.”

Tony has previously raised over £13,000 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation by running 30 consecutive, daily half marathons carrying a fridge on his back.  He now has plans for an even greater fund-raising challenge.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation funds projects within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that directly benefit cancer patients from across the north east and Cumbria, and which contribute significantly to wider research into the disease.

To sponsor Tony for The Appliances Online 24 Hour Challenge please visit www.justgiving.com/tonythefridge.  Or you can text a donation via JustTextGiving by texting FRID93 and the amount in pounds to 70070.

Please visit www.appliancesonline.co.uk/community/projects/24HourChallenge for more information on Tony’s challenge.

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