Frankie Gavin To Tackle 10K For Children’S Hospital

The Brummie boxing champion known to thousands of fight fans around the country as Funtime Frankie could soon be dubbed Runtime Frankie as he tackles the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10K to thank the medics who helped save the life of his cousin’s newborn son.

Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning boxer Frankie Gavin is taking on the 10K on Sunday, May 6, with cousin Mike McMahon to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital after Mike’s two-day-old son Callum was treated by the hospital’s nationally-respected doctors and nurses.

More than 7,000 participants of all running and walking abilities have signed up to take part in the music-loving Bank Holiday Weekend 10K, which features start waves tuned to the sounds of the 80s, 90s, Noughties and today’s tracks.

With a limited number of places still available, organisers The Great Run Company have confirmed the last date and time to enter the 10K to have running numbers delivered by post is 10am on Thursday, April 26th.

The last date and time to enter online and collect running packs in person is 4pm on Friday, May 4th.

Frankie, who runs the Ringside Gym in Acocks Green, is now in good shape for the 10K after an ankle injury earlier this year forced the postponement of his hometown IBO World Welterweight Championship Title fight against African Bethuel Ushona.

Frankie held the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles between 2012 and 2015 and as an amateur won gold in the lightweight division at the 2007 World Championships, becoming England’s first ever winner. He also won lightweight gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The 32-year-old was more than happy to support Birmingham Children’s Hospital when he found out about how specialist nurses helped Callum, after he was rushed to the hospital when he became unresponsive at just two days old.

Mike, 37, a self-employed engineer working with Severn Trent Water, said: “Baby Callum was born at Birmingham Women’s Hospital on Wednesday, March 28th and discharged on the 31st, in good health.

“Then, around 11.30 in the evening, he became unresponsive. My wife and I rang an ambulance and the paramedics explained he had a problem with his blood sugars so he was transferred by blue light to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he stayed in an emergency ward for 12 hours of treatment.

“Once they stabilised him he was moved to another ward where he remained under supervision with specialist ongoing care.

“Callum is now being monitored and the problems he has had will subside over the coming weeks. We’re pleased to say he is back home with us now.

“The clinical care the Children’s Hospital provided for Callum was unbelievable. Arguably they saved his life. Plus, the support they offered my wife Jasmin and I was incredible and we can’t thank them enough. This is why we signed up to raise money at the 10K for them.”

Frankie, who is looking to announce his next title fight at the end of June, explained how Mike’s fundraising for the 10K resonated with him.

“We’re close family and when Mike told me he was doing this I jumped at the chance to join him,” he said.

“The work of the Children’s Hospital is amazing and they need all the support they can get.

“Being a dad, it really hits home just how we might need them at some stage and it’s great to help.”

Miranda Williams, Public Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “The Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10K is a key fundraising event for our charity.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Frankie and Mike, as well as all of our kind-hearted supporters, for choosing to take on the challenge in aid of our hospital and brave patients. Thanks to you, we are able to raise the vital funds required to continue helping our 90,000 sick kids each year.”

To enter the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10K click here

To support Mike and Frankie and help raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital visit justgiving.com/fundraising/FrankieandMikehelpingbch