Four world records broken in remarkable 24-hour “walk on water” challenge for Make-A-Wish UK
Manchester-born 82-year-old breaks four world records in remarkable 24-hour “walk on water” challenge for Make-A-Wish UK.
82-year-old Tony Fahey has completed an extraordinary 24-hour endurance challenge at Sale Water Park, breaking four world records and raising thousands of pounds for charity in the process.
The Manchester-born retired businessman successfully led a team of four on his ambitious “walk on water” challenge, using a specially designed human-powered watercraft to remain in motion for a full 24 hours from midday on Thursday 7 May to midday on Friday 8 May.
During the challenge, Tony and the team achieved four world-record milestones:
- Walking on water for 2 hours
- Walking on water for 5 miles
- Walking on water for 24 hours
- Over 100km walking on water
The challenge has raised more than £30,000 for Make-A-Wish UK, which grants life-changing wishes to children living with critical illness.
Speaking after completing the challenge, Tony said: ‘I’ve endured difficult physical challenges before, not least the journey that brought me to the point where I could even dream of walking on water. Yet I have no hesitation in calling this the toughest of them all. When I felt like quitting, my team kept reminding me of the children we are doing this for and together we pushed on to the end. Thank you to everyone for helping make this challenge possible.’
The feat follows a life-threatening accident in 2021, when Tony was struck by a car while out walking. After emergency surgery and 18 months of rehabilitation, he channelled his recovery into training for this challenge, preparing five days a week.
Tony commissioned a design engineer to take charge of the project, resulting in the creation of the aqua elliptica – a specially adapted, human-powered watercraft that works in a similar way to a cross trainer, using a forward walking-style elliptical motion to move across the water.
Spectators gathered throughout the 24-hour challenge to watch the team glide across the water on the bespoke craft.
"What Tony achieved over 24 hours is nothing short of extraordinary. To take on a challenge of this scale at 82 years old, particularly after such a serious accident just a few years ago, is incredibly inspiring. Every pound raised will help us grant life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses across the UK, creating moments of joy and hope for families facing unimaginably difficult circumstances. We’re hugely grateful to Tony and everyone who has supported this challenge."
Tony is no stranger to record-breaking achievements. In 1977, under the mentorship of renowned engineer Leo Villa, he went on to break multiple world and national powerboat speed records within a year.
His latest challenge marks the first in a planned series of endurance and water-based record attempts, all designed to raise as much money as possible to help grant life-changing wishes for children living with critical illness.
Donations are still open, and supporters can contribute via Tony’s JustGiving page:
About Tony Fahey
Tony Fahey is a Manchester-born retired businessman and former world-record-holding powerboat racer. Now aged 82, he is undertaking a series of endurance record challenges to raise funds for Make-A-Wish UK, following his recovery from a life-changing accident in 2021.
Follow Tony on social media on the following platforms
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