AMAN who ran a series of marathons with a fridge strapped to his back has set off a chilling new fundraising challenge.

Tony Phoenix-Morrison took to the treadmill yesterday to raise cash for Lee Mercer, 37, who was badly injured during a five-a-side football game in his home town of Cramlington, Northumberland, in October.

He has spent the last four months in hospital, the first two weeks of which he was in a coma.

Now he is awake and beginning to show signs of getting better but faces a long road to recovery.

His friends gathered at Life and Soul Fitness Centre, in Cramlington, to raise cash with a 12-hour treadmill run.

And from 6am-6pm, Mr Phoenix-Morrison went the distance with a fridge stacked on to his back.

He took on the challenge alongside fellow distance runner and father-of-one Tony Holland, who is from Cramlington.

He notched up 64 miles on the treadmill while “The Fridge Man” managed a respectable 39.

Various other friends took part on a third treadmill while people from the community filed in to put cash in collection pots.

The £8,000 that has been raised will help pay for Mr Mercer’s rehabilitation at Walkergate Park Centre, which specialises in neurorehabilitation and neuropsychiatry.

Mr Phoenix-Morrison said: “It was a really enjoyable day and we had lots of people come in to give us their support.

“Tony asked me to take part and this has all happened in the space of two weeks. People have really pulled together.

“I was happy to do it, I just come in and do the graft. Everyone is really behind this family and the support that we have had has been fantastic.

“I would just like to say to Lee that everyone is behind him, that we are there if he needs us and to get well soon.”

Life-long pal Chris Wall, a 39-year-old company director, also from Cramlington, organised the event.

He said: “Lee is starting to communicate and he has been able to make progress in terms of his movement.

“We are optimistic he will make a good recovery but we have no guarantee how good that recovery will be.

“Today has been unbelievable, just the volume of people that have come in.

“This has been a community really coming together.

“It has been a big team effort and on behalf of the Life and Soul Fitness Centre I would like to thank everyone who has contributed today.”

Anyone who wants to donate money should contact the gym, at Hubbway Business Centre, Bassington Industrial Estate, Cramlington, on 01670 738438.