Sheffield boxer’s heartwarming gesture to thank care home ‘for putting smile on mum’s face’

Kevin England 47, will be doing the run on June 27 ‘as a way to say thank you’ to Norwood Grange care home on Longley Lane, Sheffield, for the ‘amazing’ care they gave to his mother Margaret before she died with Covid-19 last year.

Kevin said his mother, who was 73 and suffered from alzheimer’s and dementia, was ‘the happiest he had ever seen her’ in those final five months.

"When she was at Norwood Grange she was always smiling,” he said. “The staff there were so caring and good to her, and were always interacting with her.

"For a lady who had alzheimer’s and dementia their care was unbelievable. I want to raise money to help them to care for other people’s mums and dads like they did mine.

"Care home workers do amazing work. They are as good as the NHS and they should be praised.”

Boy, 13, kicked in the head and knocked unconscious by man outside Sheffield school

Kevin said his inspiration to do the run came after a tough year when his sister died aged 44 in October 2020 following a heart attack, and then his mother died in November, on what would have been his sister’s birthday.

"Running has given me something to focus on and something to aim for,” he said. “I read Tyson Fury’s book and he said to focus on something positive and this is what I have chosen to focus on.

"It has really helped me, and now I want to help Norwood Grange and put a smile on the faces of the staff there like they always did with my mum.”

Kevin, who fought as both an amateur and a professional, had been training for the run by doing 15 mile runs, three days a week.

He will be accompanied on the run – which will go over the Pennines via Dunford Bridge – by people on bicycles. The run will finish at Norwood Grange on Longley Lane.

If this run goes well, he plans to run to Skegness from Sheffield, raising more for Norwood Grange as well as the charity Mind.

You can donate to Kevin’s fundraiser here.