Wheelie bin man running with load from St James's Park to Stadium of Light

Deano Franciosy, 47, from Sunderland, is to run almost 15 miles from Newcastle United’s St James’s Park to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on May 28.

However, this is a running challenge with a difference, as Deano will make the journey with a wheelie bin attached to his back.

The Sunderland City Council worker has been nicknamed the ‘wheelie bin man’ since beginning training for his latest venture.

He is raising funds for the intensive and critical care unit (ICCU) at Sunderland Royal Hospital, which cared for his mother, Edna Garner, in her final days.

Edna passed away aged 61 in 2011 after suffering a heart attack, brought on by her Type 1 Diabetes.

Deano said: “Every year, I try to do something in my mum’s memory to raise funds for the unit.

“The staff there were absolutely unbelievable, and this is the least I can do.

“They were tremendous in my mum’s final hours, and I get a lump in my throat talking about it.

“This challenge is something different, and I’m really looking forward to it.

“I hope that people will get behind me, and if anyone has any loose change or a donation they’d like to make, they can drop it in the wheelie bin.”

Deano, a Sunderland fan, has been training for about two weeks with the wheelie bin strapped to his back.

This is the latest in a long line of challenges he has taken on for charity.

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

He is now looking forward to his latest unusual challenge.

Deano added: “It’s going to be difficult, but I fancied a challenge.

“When I’ve been training, everyone has been stopping me and asking about it, so it has certainly got people talking.

“Hopefully that will lead to some donations and we’ll be able to make a positive difference to the unit.”