Binman Deano completes the 2.6 challenge seven days in a row, with a wheelie bin strapped to his back

The 51-year-old fundraiser – who runs with a wheelie bin on his back for donations – was looking forward to taking part in the world-famous event for the first time and was devastated when it was cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Instead, he decided to take part in the 2.6 Challenge – the charity fund-raising programme encouraging people to organise activities based around the number 2.6, one-tenth of the distance of the 26-mile London Marathon course.

Deano decided to run 2.6 miles each day for a week, in order to raise money for NHS Charities Together and St Oswald’s Hospice.

He said he had been looking forward to taking part in the marathon since his place was first confirmed and everything had been going to plan.

He said: “I had been training really hard for weeks. I started in January and I lost one stone and one pound, I was training twice a week and everything was going absolutely brilliantly.

“It was one of my lifetime dreams to do the London Marathon but then it was cancelled.”

Deano decided to start his run from Sunderland Royal Hospital each day in order to pay tribute to the NHS workers and, on his last day, they turned out to cheer him on.

“Everybody was at the windows,” he said.

“It was really nice – I had a lump in my throat, it was such a lovely gesture.”

Deano started raising funds after the death of mum Edna Garner who passed away, aged 61, in 2011 after suffering a heart attack, brought on by her Type 1 Diabetes.

Past efforts have included running from Newcastle United’s St James’s Park to Sunderland's Stadium of Light to raise cash for the intensive and critical care unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital, which cared for Edna in her final days.

He is still hoping to take part in the London Marathon which has been rescheduled to October.

To donate visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=DeanoFranciosy&pageUrl=1

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