Gymshark founder becomes first patron of hospital charity

Gymshark founder Ben Francis has become Birmingham Women 's and Children 's Hospital Charity 's first-ever patron.

The patronage honours the British entrepreneur 's passion for the NHS, his desire to help those in need as well as his love and enthusiasm to promote Birmingham to the world.

Over the last 12 months Ben 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 Ben 's brand 's rallying cry 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.

Now, driven by his aspiration to give back, Ben will work with Birmingham Women 's and Children 's Hospital Charity to achieve its mission to improve the lives of women, babies, children and families - regionally, nationally and internationally.

As patron, Ben will help the charity to raise awareness and the much-needed funds to enable the hospital and its staff to continually be at the forefront of what is possible, in order to make a real difference to all who use the hospitals ' services.

Ben (pictured) 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. ”

Birmingham Women 's and Children 's NHS Foundation Trust is the first of its kind in the UK, delivering family-centred care through Birmingham Children 's Hospital and Birmingham Women 's Hospital.

Collectively the two hospitals care for over 140,000 women, children, young people and their families from across the region and the UK each year.

Watch this short video featuring Ben Francis and Sarah-Jane Marsh, CEO at Birmingham Women 's and Children 's NHS Foundation Trust, for more details.