FORMER boxer turned television personality Francis Jones has pledged his support to charity fund raiser Callum Lane-Tingle, who is taking part in Cancer Research’s Relay for Life event.

The event, on Saturday September 16, will see teams walk around the Middlesbrough Sports Village track in a relay format for 24 hours in order to signify a united front against cancer.

Mr Jones appeared in fly-on-the wall documentary Rent A Cop, which featured his Darlington-based company Sparta Security.

He shared a handshake with eight-year-old Callum, whose dad Andy is suffering from terminal kidney cancer, which spread to his lungs, pancreas and lymph nodes. Sparta will also provide security services free of charge on the day of the event.

Callum, from Stockton, has already raised more than £5,000 for Cancer Research by selling necklaces, keyrings, bracelets and bookmarks he has made at craft fairs.

Mr Tingle, 47, a pub company operations director said his son was on target to reach £10,000 by the 16th after a donation from the charity Teesside Family Foundation.

It recently organised a four day break for Callum and his family at Primrose Valley, near Filey, North Yorkshire.

Singer Keith Hammersley has also recorded a cover of a Barry Gibb song ‘Morning of My Life’ to raise cash for the family’s cause, while another charity night is being held on Saturday September 10 from 7pm at Thornaby Sports and Leisure Club.

It will feature a tribute to Simply Red and tickets are available from the club, costing £3 each.

Mr Tingle praised the support he had received to date, including from The Northern Echo. He said: “It’s helped not only Callum on his campaign, but has given me the will to keep on fighting and stay alive.”

The Relay for Life begins at 12pm. Music, stalls and games suitable for all the family will be on site with a Candle of Hope ceremony taking place on the Saturday evening.

There will also be a ‘Candle of Hope’ ceremony to remember loved ones who have died because of cancer.

Janet Leafe, a local fund raising manager for Cancer Research, said: “Relay for Life is great fun, celebrates those who have survived this awful disease, promotes a healthy lifestyle and raises funds for essential research at the same time.”