KATIE BULMER-COOKE: Running alongside '˜The Fridge'

I’ve followed Tony’s challenges and achievements for years and was buzzing when he agreed to come on my show on Made in Tyne & Wear, Chatty Lasses.

Listening to his running stories was fascinating and a 12 minute interview on the show just wasn’t long enough for me. So when he revealed he was taking on 100 Great North Runs in 100 days I jumped at the chance to get involved and support him.

Last Thursday marked Day 34 and I met up with Tony in Newcastle at 6am and ran the 8 miles to the Lindisfarne roundabout with him, before I had to duck out to make it home in time to watch Heidi in her school’s sports day.

Along the route Tony told me even more incredible stories about the challenges he has completed and all the crazy things that have happened to him along the way. We had a right good laugh too.

Along the way he must have had hundreds of toots and cheers from the passing cars, proving that people of the north east really are super supportive.

I left the run feeling more than a little emotional at the thought of what Tony and all of those who’ve donated, sponsored and supported him have achieved.

For someone to get out of bed at ridiculous o’clock, every morning for 100 days, whatever the weather, no matter how tired and run a half marathon is outstanding and beyond commendable, but then to throw the fridge into the mix too...for me there are simply no words to describe quite how awesome that is.

Throughout the run, Tony talked about all of the wonderful people who’ve supported him along the way, and I couldn’t write this column without giving a special mention to his wife Janita, who without fail, drops him off at the start every morning.

Not only that, she then drives the route and leaves him drinks along the way, parks the car and then cycles home...massive thank you for the water along the way!

Tony’s determination and can-do attitude proves to me that nothing is impossible and that with hard work there is nothing you can’t achieve.

Watching Tony doesn’t have to inspire you to run, after all not everyone is into running, but it can’t fail to inspire you to get out there, break barriers and achieve things, whether it be in everyday life, in work, starting a business...anything.

Day 34 won’t be the only time I’ll be joining Tony on his challenge, I’ll be back pounding the pavements with him again very soon, and if you want to follow his progress and see his live Facebook videos that he does every day then follow him on Facebook and Twitter and of course help him raise a serious amount of money for a great cause by texting FRID93 and your donation amount to 70070.