Birmingham Children’s Hospital has thousands of supporters and fundraisers who repeatedly go out of their way to make a real difference to our children and young people. Gavin hopes to raise £50,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s physiotherapy department by running 45 marathons in 45 days.
Gavin Sandford is rolling out the barrel on a long, long journey in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for the physiotherapy department at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Travelling between the north and south of Britain, our Charity Champion will be pushing an oak barrel on a wheelchair from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 45 days, aiming to raise £50,000.
Gavin starts on Tuesday, August 5, and will be running in fancy dress along the 1,200-mile route.
He will pass through most of the major cities in the UK during his challenge, including Birmingham on Saturday, August 30.
He hopes that everyone will join him at 9am outside Birmingham Children’s Hospital to participate in a fun day and hopefully break the world record for most people wearing fancy dress at a gathering whilst raising awareness and money for a great cause.
Inspired by his 14 years of being a locum operating theatre practitioner and after seeing the bravery and positivity of the children at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Gavin wanted to undertake this challenge of a lifetime.
To get in tip-top condition, Gavin has frequently been getting up at 3.30am to run, cycle or go to the gym for a few hours before heading to work and has been cycling over ten miles every day to and from his home in Selly Oak to his place of work in Dudley.
Gavin, aged 41, from Birmingham, who was a soldier in the British Army for five years, said: “After working at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, I am humbled, rewarded and inspired. Following my experiences I have wanted to do something to help and support a cause close to my heart.
“I imagine that at times the challenge will be difficult. But I cannot wait to be out there, raising awareness and money and hopefully inspiring others to fundraise.”
During his career, Gavin, who is originally from South Africa, has worked at both Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Vikki Savery, public fundraising manager for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, said: “We cannot imagine how much dedication and willpower Gavin will muster over the 45 days. We are in awe of how many hours of training he has put in and all the effort he has gone to raise money for our physiotherapy department.”
* Find out more about Gavin on www.ican-and-iwill.com or alternatively visit his fundraising page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=gavinsandford .
* If you would like to fundraise for Birmingham Children’s Hospital please either visit www.bch.org.uk , email: fundraising@bch.nhs.uk or call 0121 333 8506.