Great-grandad supported by football club in charity walking challenge
Tony Cunningham, from Coventry, is hoping to raise a huge total for Molly Ollys by once again completing laps around the city’s Memorial Park.
And so far, he has covered two million steps (over 900 miles), raising over £750.
But this time the football fan is also changing things up by swapping the park for a pitch, walking the equivalent of 10 miles around Coventry City Football Club stadium and, this week, lapping West Bromwich Albion’s ground, supported by his friend – and Baggies fan – David Flynn.
WBA FC supporter liaison officer, Cindy Groen, said: “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.
“At West Bromwich Albion, we pride ourselves on being a family football club that is deeply embedded within both the local community and the football community. It was our pleasure to host Tony and help him continue his challenge around The Hawthorns’ pitch.”
At Coventry’s CBS Arena, in December, he was joined by ex-City player Dave Busst. Birmingham-born Busst 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.
He then moved into management at Solihull Borough and, later, Evesham United. He now works as head of community at CCFC and Sky Blues In The Community while also playing for local side Leamington Veterans.
Busst 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.”
It is the second such fundraising challenge for Liverpool-born Tony, who clocked up over 5,000 miles (around 10 million steps) on his early morning laps between January 1 and December 31 in 2022, travelling almost the equivalent distance of Coventry to Phoenix in Arizona – even 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 the charity cause as well as 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 – and whilst still 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 etc, 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.”
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.
Part of more than £4m raised to date has also been used to fund the first Molly Olly consultant in paediatric medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
To find out all the ways you can donate to Molly Olly’s Wishes, visit the website.
You can sponsor Tony HERE.
Pictured: Tony with David Busst at CCFC
