“I’m really proud of how much money I’ve raised running in memory of my mam and brother”

The words of running binman Deano Franciosy as he gears up to take on the Hogmanhoway on New Year’s Eve, meaning selfless Deano will have completed all the fun runs across the North East raising nearly £300,000 for charity in the process.

Deano has taken on all the fun runs in the region to raise money for charity. | Deano Franciosy

placeholder image — Deano has taken on all the fun runs in the region to raise money for charity. | Deano Franciosy

Deano, 56, has been raising money for good causes for over 30 years, initially running with weights to increase the level of challenge, before later strapping his trusty wheelie bin to his back, after being employed by the City Council as a refuse collector.

During that time Deano has completed the Great North Run, Sunderland 10km and half marathon, the Tommy Run in Seaham, Blaydon Races, Durham City Run, as well as range of personalised challenges including running up and down Penshaw Monument hill continuously for two hours, scaling the steps at Barnes Park 82 times, and running 24 miles from the Stadium of Light to South Shields and back.

Deano has also created his own challenges, including running up and down Penshaw Hill for two hours. | Deano Franciosy

Deano, who lives in Pennywell, has also strapped his bin to his back to take on challenges outside of the region, including running the London and Edinburgh marathons.

He said: “When I run the Hogmanhoway I will have completed a total of 204 challenges and all the fun runs in the North East. I worked out that in total, I’ve raised £295,000.

“£32,000 of that has gone to Sunderland Royal Hospital Intensive Care Unit who looked after my mam and brother when they were ill.”

Deano’s mam, Edna Gardner, passed away in 2001 at the age of 61 due to a heart attack. His “big brother” Kevin Franciosy sadly passed away from sepsis in 2014 at the age of 47.

Deano said: “I always run with their photographs in my bin, along with other members of my family. I wanted to give something back to the hospital staff who cared for them when they were ill.

“I always refer to Kevin as my big brother and it’s remembering him and my mam which keeps me going when you get to those difficult last 10 minutes and things get tough.”

Deano has also taken on running challenges outside of the region. | Deano Franciosy

Despite his mammoth fundraising efforts, Deano doesn’t plan on hanging up his bin and running shoes anytime soon.

He said: “I’m still going to continue running, but I’m going to look to take on more running challenges outside the area in different cities and parts of the country.

“I would also like to do the Great North Run when I turn 60.”