Andrew Flintoff has given his backing to all the runners in this summer's Jane Tomlinson’s Pennine Lancashire 10K, particularly these who are running on July 11 to raise funds for the AF Foundation.

A team of eight from International Sports Management are running the race around Blackburn, Lancashire as they attempt to raise the funds required to finish the state of the art child rehabilitation unit at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool by the end of this year.

"The organisers are doing a grand job and I’m delighted to be able to support the event," said Flintoff. "It’s all about taking part and raising money for charity.

"We started the AF Foundation a couple of years ago and our first project is to raise funds for a new unit at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Building is due to start soon but we still have some way to go with the fundraising and hopefully the Pennine Lancashire 10K will help us get closer to our goal.

"The surgeons have told me I’m not to do that much running these days anyway, but the team at AF Foundation are making a great effort and are training hard ready for July 11^.""

The AF Foundation, set up by Andrew and Rachael Flintoff, is hopeful the unit at Alder Hey can up opened and full operational by the end of this year and that blueprint will be used for future projects in all the major UK hospitals.

The race starts and finishes in Blackburn's Witton Park and the proceeds from the race will be split amont the partner charities. Donations to the AF Foundation can be made at www.justgiving.com/affoundation/donate