The Hartlepool dad of three who is smashing a fundraising challenge - and here's how he is doing it!

Dad of three Anthony Wheeler had originally planned to run 300 miles by Christmas Eve to raise money for Miles for Men.

But he has already run more than 30 miles in the first six days and he has done it in his spare time after he keeps up his job of supplying the people of Hartlepool with daily fruit and veg from Fruit Fayre in Oxford Road where he works as a delivery driver.

Anthony, 39, is also doing boot camp sessions from Monday to Thursday each week with the help of Steven Smith from the Body Doctors at Seaton Carew.

But even though Anthony looks set to smash the fundraising challenge long before Christmas, he promised: “If people keep sponsoring me I will keep running for the charity.”

He began his quest to run for Miles for Men on September 2 and said: “I have managed to run 10k every day since I started so far. The quicker I can reach my target, the quicker I can give money to Miles for Men.”

Anthony is supporting the town charity as ‘I have lost family and friends who died of cancer’ he said.

But his determination got even stronger after the charity’s shop was hit by a theft.

The Hartlepool Mail reported how the Extra Mile shop had suffered a theft in which £350 and a mobility scooter was taken.

Days later, the charity’s founder Micky Day said the fight would go on to help the people of Hartlepool.

He said the Extra Mile shop in the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre had been inundated with goodwill messages, cards, donations and offers of support ever since the theft.

Anthony has himself been a strong supporter of the charity and has run the Miles for Men annual race six times. He has also been involved in two charity boxing matches for the cause.

He added: “The runs are getting a bit harder on my ankles now but I was in the Army, I have always been fit and I do like running.”

People can support Anthony by donating here.

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