Coventry great-grandad's charity challenge begins
Tony Cunningham is aiming for 10 miles a day throughout 2022
A 72-year-old great-grandad from Coventry who underwent a quadruple heart bypass is pledging to walk ten miles a day throughout 2022 to raise money for a Warwick children’s charity supporting children with life-threatening illnesses.
Tony Cunningham is hoping to run up a huge total for Molly Olly’s Wishes by completing laps, 3650 miles in total, around the city’s War Memorial Park.
He began the challenge at 10am on New Year’s Day and was officially seen off by The Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr John McNicholas.
It is the biggest fundraising challenge for Tony, who supported the Alzheimer’s Society six years ago and raised over £1,000 for Cancer Research with a month-long 334-mile walk in the summer.
He was spurred on by the memory of his late wife Jackie who lost her four-month battle with lung cancer in February 2021.
Mr Cunningham said:
“Four years ago I took part in a team fundraising effort for Molly Olly’s Wishes at Burbidge & Son where I worked, and it really resonated with me.
“It’s such a worthwhile cause and, as a charity, gives children and their families some pleasure in the darkest of times.”
Warwick-based Molly Olly’s Wishes was established following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer and marks its tenth anniversary this year.
The charity supports children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families. It grants wishes, helps with emotional support and it donates therapeutic toys and books to children directly and through hospitals across the UK.
Mrs Ollerenshaw said:
“Tony is truly amazing. To offer to walk 10 miles a day to mark our tenth birthday is no small feat for any age, but to do it at 72 years of age is quite something.
“The money Tony raises will help us to support children who’re going through very tough times with their health.”