'Made the city proud' - Sunderland's congratulations for binman Deano after multiple 2.6 challenge victory

Deano Franciosy runs with a wheelie bin on his back for donations – and has been taking part in the 2.6 challenge, a charity fundraising initiative.

He was due to take place in last week’s London Marathon, which was postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but instead did back-to-back challenges for NHS Charities Together and St Oswald’s Hospice.

Friends and neighbours were full of praise for the 51-year-old’s hard work.

Here are some of your messages for Deano from the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

Ivor Prestwood: “Well done Deano, salt of the earth and one of Sunderland’s biggest contributors to charities. And, a lovely character.”

Norma Robinson: “Always been a lovely lad Deano & always there to help charity well done bonny lad.”

Kelly Walker: “My binman. Out emptying bins in Grindon Friday morning. A few hours later he was over the road with his petrol lawnmower cutting the old lady’s garden over the road from me. What a gent, well done.”

Scott Gibson: “Always done well for charity well done my fellow Pennyweller, class Deano keep it up mate.”

Lesley Etherington: “Brilliant. Generous and a genuinely nice guy.”

Sheila French: “Well done Deano from all at Queens Cafe.”

Colin Hilton: “Top bloke well done Dean.”

Micky Stewart: “Well done Deano, you’re class.”

Fox Stewart Brian Purvis: “Well done Deano made the city proud.”

Mel Kaya: “Our bin man, he’s the best. Well done.”

Jonathan Martin: “What a legend.”

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