A SUPERFIT grandfather has been humbled by the support he has received after he managed to run the length of Britain with a 42.5kg fridge on his back.

Tony Phoenix-Morrison, 49, pulled off the epic John O'Groats to Lands End feat in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which funds cancer research.

Better known as Tony the Fridge, the fundraiser took 41 days to cover the 1,009 miles - almost a marathon a day - with the heavy kitchen appliance on his back.

Tony, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, has carried out other fridge-based challenges and last year ran 30 half-marathons in 30 days similarly weighed down for the foundation. He also ran for 24 hours for the good cause.

But this trial of endurance was his toughest yet.

He said: "When I set out on this challenge, I genuinely had no idea how far I'd get.

"I wanted to try something so hard that nobody could be certain of it's outcome.

"All I could do was try to prepare myself physically and mentally as best I could.

"At the end of this I feel humbled really. I've had so much support and generosity from the British public from the top of Scotland all the way down to the bottom of England.

The Northern Echo: Tony "The Fridge" Phoenix-Morrison makes his way along the A167 near Newton Aycliffe during his John O'Groats to Lands End charity run
The 'Fridge' makes his way along the A167 near Newton Aycliffe as his charity walk passed through the North-East

"It's not just been the donations to the charity.

"People have fed and watered me all over the place and I've had umpteen physio treatments. One physio, Gavin Cree, helped me out the blue when I really needed it just before I got to Newcastle.

"And then he came all the way down to London to sort out my dodgy hip again for me.

"I could go on all day about the kindness Ive been shown.

"But honestly, without all the messages online and people honking their horns in support I know I couldn't have done this."

The final total of what he has raised is not yet known but the foundation estimated it to be in the tens of thousands. Fridge manufacturers Smeg, who sponsored him, have handed over a £40,000 cheque.

Tony ran for around seven hours each day. His route through Scotland took him from John OGroats to Inverness and over the Cairngorms, tackling ascents of 1,500 ft, then into Edinburgh.

He then ran south through Newcastle and passed through County Durham, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

After Leicester, he ran through Milton Keynes and London. Finally, he ran south west reaching the coast at Southampton and followed the coastline past Exeter to Lands End.

Smeg MD Mike Giddings met him at the finish, and said: "It's an honour and a privilege to support him raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and to watch him come over the finish line at Lands End was a moving experience."

Tony has not finished with his fridge yet as he will run round the pitch at Ipswich Town - Sir Bobbys former club - on Saturday when they play Middlesbrough, and will take part in the Great North Run on Sunday.