Gymshark founder Ben Francis becomes Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity’s first patron

Ben Francis, the founder of Solihull-based Gymshark, has become Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity’s first patron.

Over the last 12 months, Francis has built a strong relationship with Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity, both personally and professionally, through the fitness community and apparel brand, Gymshark, which pledged to support the charity from the onset of the pandemic.

Last year, Gymshark donated £180,000 to the charity after thousands of people answered the brand’s call to get their ‘sweat on’ as part of its #NHSSweatySelfie challenge.

For every selfie uploaded, of which there were almost 36,000, Gymshark donated £5 to the charity.

Francis will now work with Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity to achieve its mission to improve the lives of women, babies, children and families.

Francis said: “I’ve long been in awe of the incredible work of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospitals. My Mum has worked as a nurse at the Queen Elizabeth in Birmingham all of my life, so I know first-hand how unbelievably hardworking they are and the impact they have on so many people. When the guys at the charity approached me about becoming a Patron, I accepted without hesitation. I look forward to working with them to continue to raise awareness and funds for this amazing charity.”

The chairman of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and its charity, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, former medical director of the NHS in England, said: “We are absolutely thrilled Ben has agreed to accept this prestigious role.

“Our charity is vital in supporting our hospitals’ surgeons, physicians and nurses to push boundaries and deliver world-leading research, treatment and care to our brave patients.

“As the need and importance of our charity continues to grow we have ambitious plans to increase the impact of our work – both here in the Midlands, across the UK and beyond – so that we can do more for the women, children and families in our care. Ben is the perfect champion to keep us inspired to achieve and deliver our vision.”