WHEN it comes to raising money for worthy causes the North-East is blessed with countless people who are willing to go the extra mile. This is a region with a big heart.

But has there ever been a fundraiser quite like Tony Phoenix-Morrison – the man now known around the world as “Tony the Fridge”?

Thirty-six-thousand people took part in the London Marathon at the weekend – but only one of them ran it twice with a 42kg fridge strapped to their back.

That was the extraordinary and inspirational 49-year-old grandfather from Hebburn, South Tyneside.

Tony’s original intention had been to complete the 26.2-mile course four times inside 24 hours but sunstroke meant he had to cut his challenge by half.

The BBC has reported that he “failed” in his quest. Technically that is true but failure is not a word which should be associated with a man like Tony.

Last year, he raised £90,000 for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation by running 40 marathons in 40 days with his fridge on his back.

Raising money for cancer research has become his noble obsession but he has now confirmed his retirement after his double London marathon effort raised another £10,000, this time for Cancer Research UK.

There is, of course, always the chance that Tony the Fridge will come out of retirement.

But for now, it is appropriate to use his announcement to pay tribute to a man of incredible fortitude and courage.

Altogether now…“freezer jolly good fellow”.