A GREAT-grandad from Coventry who underwent a quadruple heart bypass is pledging to repeat a mammoth challenge by walking ten miles every day throughout the year to raise funds for a children’s charity.
Tony Cunningham, 75, is hoping to raise a huge total for Molly Ollys by once again completing laps around the city’s Memorial Park – and has so far clocked up over 900 miles, raising over £750.
But this time the football fan is also changing things up by swapping the park for pitches, walking the equivalent of 10 miles around Coventry City Football Club’s CBS Arena and lapping West Bromwich Albion’s Hawthorns stadium, supported by his friend and Baggies fan David Flynn.
It is the second such fundraising challenge for Liverpool-born Tony, who clocked up over 5,000 miles on his early morning laps in 2022, almost the equivalent distance of Coventry to Phoenix in Arizona – overcoming health issues and the most extremes of weather conditions along the way.
Despite this, Tony missed only seven 6am starts on the advice of doctors, insisting that the charity cause and the support he received made him determined to see the challenge through.
The first walking challenge also marked a long-awaited return to fitness for the grandad of 11 and great-grandad of six, who underwent lifesaving heart surgery four years prior – all while recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder following a serious accident.
Tony said: “It’s been great walking around both clubs’ pitches and the inner sanctum of them both too – the changing rooms, the managers offices.
“Both clubs were accommodating and welcoming. Hopefully some of the other West Midlands clubs will allow me to do the same at their grounds or training facilities too.”
At Coventry’s CBS Arena, in December, he was joined by ex-City player Dave Busst, who made over 50 appearances for Sky Blues before suffering a broken leg during a game against Manchester United in 1996 which ended his footballing career.
After a stint in coaching, he now works as Head of Community at CCFC and Sky Blues In The Community while also playing for local side Leamington Veterans.
He said: “When we heard about the charity and Tony’s fantastic fundraising ambitions to support it – and the fact he’s doing this mammoth challenge for the second time in three years – it was an inspiration to us all the Club and Sky Blues in the Community.”
West Bromwich Albion Supporter Liaison Officer Cindy Groen added: “When Molly Ollys reached out, we were inspired by the amazing work they do in supporting children, and their families, who are facing life-threatening illnesses and going through difficult times.
“It was our pleasure to host Tony and help him continue his challenge around The Hawthorns’ pitch.”
Warwick-based Molly Ollys was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.
The charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing wishes, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.
Rachel said: “Well done Tony! This challenge is a big ask for anyone and every day you put in the miles. Incredible.
“Thank you to both Coventry and West Bromwich Albion Football Clubs for making Tony feel so welcome and supporting his objectives of raising both funds and awareness for Molly Ollys.“
Visit www.mollyolly.co.uk for more on the charity and how to donate.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/bdne8yh to sponsor Tony.
