Charity runner who raised £100k carrying a fridge in court accused of assaulting a family
AN AWARD-winning fundraiser famed for running marathons while carrying a fridge on his back has been accused of assaulting a family.
Tony 'The Fridge' Phoenix-Morrison, who was last year named Fundraiser Of The Year, has raised more than £100,000 for charitable causes by running marathons with a 42kg refrigerator strapped to his back.
The 50-year-old grandfather yesterday appeared at Sunderland Magistrates' Court under the name Anthony Morrison accused of assaulting a family.
The avid charity campaigner spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
Morrison, of Hebburn, South Tyneside, had previously denied four charges of assault on June 16.
The famous Fridge-carrying fundraiser has also pleaded not guilty to using violence for the purpose of securing entry into a home, knowing that there was someone present on those premises opposed to his entry.
The trial is due to take place on Wednesday, September 2.
He has been warned his case will continue even if he himself fails to appear in the court on the allocated date.
He was released on bail on the condition that he does not contact prosecution witnesses or go to the family's home again.
Morrison was named Fundraiser of the Year at the Pride of Britain Awards last year and has also recently been nominated for a gong at the JustGiving Awards for completing the London Marathon twice in 24 hours - a feat that raised more than £10,000 for Cancer Research UK.
