A MEMORIAL bench is set to be unveiled in memory of much-loved Redditch boxer Jimmy Moran.

Jimmy became a Redditch sporting legend after winning the Gold Medal in the Light-Heavyweight division in the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

He had already won the British title earlier that year and in 1987 he repeated his victory, but this time in the heavyweight division.

He passed away in January this year, aged 57, with tributes pouring in from across the town and the sporting world.

Now, a memorial bench is set to be unveiled in Redditch to pay tribute to the town’s boxing hero.

The bench will be officially unveiled at Lodge Park Social Club on Saturday, August 21 from 3pm, followed by a wake at the club for loved ones and friends to celebrate Mr Moran's life.

It comes after a Just Giving appeal was launched following Mr Moran's death earlier this year, which has raised around £2,000 and will be spent on the bench, the wake for Mr Moran and donations will be made to three charities.

The event will be a special day for Mr Moran’s family as his funeral at Redditch Crematorium in February took place under tight Covid lockdown restrictions.

Mr Moran’s daughter, Ellie, said: “Hopefully it will give him the send-off that he deserves. It will give people who couldn’t attend the funeral the chance to come."

Ellie, along with her older brothers Jack and Sam, were touched by the comments and tributes that poured in for their father, who was also named Midlands BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1987.

Ellie added: “It’s heart-warming to see what he meant to people. The comments on the Just Giving page were really nice to see as a family.”