Sunderland's '˜wheelie bin man' Deano Franciosy '˜humbled' by Best of Wearside Award nomination

Deano Franciosy, from Sunderland, couldn’t believe it when we broke the news that he had been nominated for the Fundraiser of the Year category.

“It’s humbling. I can’t take it in,” he said.

He first started fundraising in 1992 and reckons he’s raised £150,000 since.

The Sunderland City Council worker has tackled all sorts of events over the years. He takes on running challenges with a difference by racing with a wheelie bin attached to his back.

He’s twice done the Great North Run and completed scores of 10k and 5k routes across the region, as well as colour runs.

In 2016, he raised funds for the intensive and critical care unit (ICCU) at Sunderland Royal Hospital, which cared for his mother, Edna Garner, in her final days.

He has also done everything from sponsored bag packs to climbing up and down Penshaw Monument for three hours with a 28lb weight on his back.

The nomination for Deano said: “I nominate this person because he does a lot of work for charity and runs with the wheelie bin on his back. He deserves this award.”

And Deano himself told the Sunderland Echo that it was his mum and his brother Kevin - who died four years ago aged 47 - who are his spur for all his efforts.

Deano turns 50 on Good Friday this year, the day after the Best of Wearside Awards finale.

He plans to mark his birthday by running up and down a hill near Washington F pit 50 times - with a wheelie bin on his back - as well as doing exercises such as star jumps and sit-ups. It’s the place where he has done a lot of his training over the years.

Deano said: “My memories are there and my heart is with the ICCU unit at Sunderland Royal where the staff were unbelievable with my mam.”

This year’s competition has backing from headline sponsor BGL Group, partner sponsor Gentoo and category sponsors Stagecoach and Calsonic Kansei.

We thank them all for getting on board, and now comes your turn to get involved.

Send your name, address and telephone number, as well as your email address, if applicable.

Remember to include the category you are putting your nominated cause into. Also, send the name of the person you wish to nominate, along with their address, telephone number and email (if known). Send all of that to Lynn Wild by no later than mid-February.

You can nominate in any one of three ways:

l Email those entries to [email protected].

l Send them to Lynn Wild, Alexander House, Second Floor, Rainton Bridge Business Park, Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland. DH4 5RA.

l Visit the website at www.bestofwearside.co.uk.

The categories;

Local Hero.

Green Champion.

Student of the Year.

Fundraiser of the Year.

Volunteer of the Year.

Sporting Achievement.

Community Group.

Community Champion.

Child of Achievement.

Child of Courage.