A man who became famous for running half-marathons with a fridge strapped to his back has inspired school children from a village near Keighley.

Pupils at Sutton-in-Craven Community Primary School took part in a fundraising fun run after staff told them about the exploits of ‘Tony the Fridge’ Phoenix-Morrison, from Tyneside, who finishing 30 consecutive half-marathons while carrying a 40-kilo fridge. He was raising money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which funds cancer research.

Sutton CP School head teacher Fiona Beetles said: “It would be fair to say that Tony’s story made our children want to make a difference. They decided to plan a fancy dress fun run for the whole school and asked everyone to carry something on their backs, just like Tony.

Mr Phoenix-Morrison was present at the event and even brought his fridge along. “At the end of the morning we were delighted to give Tony a cheque for £350 for the Bobby Robson cancer charity,” said Mrs Beetles.