Fan's tribute to mum helps charity

Monday 30th April 2012

Football fan Tony Werner run, cycled and swam in memory of his mum while raising thousands of pounds for a diabetes charity.

The Crystal Palace fan, from Fakenham, in Norfolk, completed the eight-day Brum Or Bust endurance challenge as a tribute to his mum Pamela, who died from diabetes five years ago.

The 43-year-old window cleaner ran, cycled and swam his way from the Eagles' home match against Nottingham Forest on March 31 to the away game against Birmingham City on April 7.

During the challenge he ran three half marathons, cycled more than 200 miles, and completed four miles of open water swimming to raise £3,500 for Diabetes UK.

Tony, originally from Croydon, said: "I wanted to challenge myself and raise as much money as possible. My mum passed away far too soon as a result of diabetes and I wanted to complete this in her memory, which I did, so I am delighted.

"Having not come from a particularly athletic background, it was a serious challenge for me but I trained very hard and managed to finish in good time without too many hiccups"

Elizabeth Roe, fundraising manager for Diabetes UK London, said: "Tony's endurance efforts are very inspiring and it is an incredible achievement for him to have completed this challenge.

"We are hugely thankful for his support of Diabetes UK, and for the money he has raised through this adventure that will help us to continue with our work supporting, caring and campaigning for people affected by or at risk of diabetes."

Tony is still accepting sponsor at http://www.justgiving.com/brumorbust.

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