A 75-year-old great-grandad from who underwent a quadruple heart bypass, is pledging to repeat a mammoth challenge walking ten miles every day throughout the year to raise funds for a Warwick children's charity.

Tony Cunningham, from Coventry, is hoping to raise a huge total for Molly Ollys by once again completing laps around the city's Memorial Park. And so far, he has covered two million steps (over 900 miles), raising over £750.

But this time the football fan is also changing things up by swapping the park for pitches, walking the equivalent of 10 miles around Coventry City Football Club stadium and, this week, lapping West Bromwich Albion's ground, supported by his friend – and Baggies fan – David Flynn.

At Coventry's CBS Arena, in December, he was joined by ex-City player Dave Busst.

Tony at West Bromwich Albion (image supplied)

Birmingham-born Busst made over 50 appearances for Sky Blues before suffering a broken leg during a game against Manchester United in 1996 which ended his footballing career. He then moved into management at Solihull Borough and, later, Evesham United.

He now works as Head of Community at CCFC and Sky Blues In The Community while also playing for local side Leamington Veterans.

Busst said: "When we heard about the charity and Tony's fantastic fundraising ambitions to support it – and the fact he's doing this mammoth challenge for the second time in three years – it was an inspiration to us all the Club and Sky Blues in the Community."

WBA FC Supporter Liaison Officer, Cindy Groen, said: "When Molly Ollys reached out, we were inspired by the amazing work they do in supporting children, and their families, who are facing life-threatening illnesses and going through difficult times.

"At West Bromwich Albion, we pride ourselves on being a family football club that is deeply embedded within both the local community and the football community. It was our pleasure to host Tony and help him continue his challenge around The Hawthorns' pitch."

Tony at Coventry's CBS Arena, in December (image supplied)

It is the second such fundraising challenge for Liverpool-born Tony, who clocked up over 5k miles (around 10 million steps) on his early morning laps between January 1 and December 31 in 2022, travelling almost the equivalent distance of Coventry to Phoenix in Arizona – even overcoming health issues and the most extremes of weather conditions along the way.

Despite this Tony missed only seven 6am starts on the advice of doctors, insisting the charity cause as well as the support he received, made him determined to see the challenge through.

The first walking challenge also marked a long-awaited return to fitness for the grandad of 11 and great-grandad of six who underwent lifesaving heart surgery four years prior – and whilst still recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder following a serious accident.

Tony said: "It's been great walking around both clubs' pitches and the inner sanctum of them both too - the changing rooms, the managers offices etc, both clubs were accommodating and welcoming. Hopefully some of the other West Midlands clubs will allow me to do the same at their grounds or training facilities too."

Molly Ollys was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw's eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

Tony is raising money for Molly Ollys (image supplied)

The charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing. As well as providing wishes, they donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Olly The Brave forms part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres, along with a set of books from the charity's exclusive Olly The Brave series. The mascot has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy.

Part of more than £4m raised to date, has also been used to fund the first Molly Olly consultant in paediatric medicine at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Rachel said: "Thank you to both Coventry and West Bromwich Albion Football Clubs for making Tony feel so welcome and supporting his objectives of raising both funds and awareness for Molly Ollys.

"Well done Tony! This challenge is a big ask for anyone and every day you put in the miles. Incredible!"

To find out all the ways you can donate to Molly Olly's Wishes, click here.

To sponsor Tony click here.