A GYM owner is hosting a two-day fitness festival in a bid to raise £5,000 for Playground SOS.

The Star has joined forces with Whiston and St Helens Hospital Charity in a bid to raise £20,000 to build a playground for young patients and visitors at Whiston Hospital.

The appeal, which was launched last month, currently sits at £6,984 but Forge Fitness’ Gary Crickson hopes to give it a significant boost with a two day Forge Fest event.

The 48-year-old, said: “I’ve had a stroke, I have four kids and this is our local hospital. The staff there saved my life as a kid with Type 1 diabetes and they’ve looked after me since then and my kids.

“We’d all be lost without it so if I can ever to anything to help them then I’m all for it “It’s so important to get fresh air and these kids could have been through all kinds to be in hospital, so a nice playground is good for them and it would be great to be a part of making that happen.”

The two day event on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4 will have events running from 9am to 5pm (Sat and 9am to 4pm Sun) with a cost of £5 per person per class.

This is additional to personal training sessions costing £20 each with Gary and his team.

Fundraising activities are taking place elsewhere for the Playground SOS appeal, including staff last week doing a skydive raising funds.

If you are fundraising for Playground SOS, email details to news@sthelensstar.co.uk

To donate go to wshospitals.enthuse.com/cf/playground-sos