SuppliedGlasgow 2014 gold medallist Charlie Flynn has thanked the medics who saved his baby boy’s life.
The ex-postal worker – who famously dubbed himself The Mailman – shot to fame after being crowned Commonwealth lightweight champion on home soil.
The Lanark boxer quickly became known for his memorable post-bout interviews, including one in which he thanked supporters who “looked like ants but roared like lions.”
Now 32 and a dad-of-five, Charlie says backing the Commonwealth Sport Foundation’s charity drive means more to him than any medal.
In 2021, his newborn son Stanley was just a week old when what seemed like a simple rash turned into a medical emergency.
SNS Group“We took him to hospital just to get the rash checked,” Charlie told STV News. “We were really lucky, because while we were there, something wasn’t right with his breathing. The doctors weren’t happy sending him home.”
Within a few hours, he was being rushed to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital for further tests. There, it emerged Stanley’s artery was closing over.
“If we hadn’t been there, he would’ve died in the night. Once that closed over, that would have been him.”
Stanley underwent a heart operation later that morning.
“They sorted him out. He was completely fixed within hours,” he said. “Stanley is louder and more boisterous than ever now – just running around like any other boy his age.
“It’s incredible the work that NHS staff do. They’re superheroes saving lives all day, every day.
“I’ll be forever indebted and grateful. The Children’s Hospital is just amazing.”
STV NewsCharlie is now backing the Commonwealth Sport Foundation’s Glasgow 2026 campaign, which will support Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity alongside Scottish Sports Futures and the Team Scotland Youth Trust.
The remaining funds will go towards sport-for-development programmes, including GAPS, which works to remove barriers to participation for Para athletes across the Commonwealth.
He added: “I’m just so pleased that the charity will benefit from people enjoying the Games, alongside two other organisations helping people transform their lives through the power of sport.
“Whether it’s sick children, families who don’t have much money but have talented kids, or young athletes coming through – it’s about helping at the grassroots level and changing regular people’s lives.”
Charlie said he is “buzzing like a jar of wasps” to see the Games return to the city.
“The Games returning to Glasgow brings back memories of two weeks that changed my life,” he said.
“I’ll never forget walking out and hearing that noise. I felt like the whole city was behind me. Glasgow 2014 did incredible things for me, but it also did incredible things for people’s belief in the city.”
Charlie, who retired from boxing due to a back injury, says he has no plans to return to the ring.
“I’ve no ambition to get back in the ring in my current condition!” he said. “But it’s exciting.
“Every sporting event has the characters that come through and the underdogs who come out on top. It will have a long effect down the line.”
The Commonwealth Sport Foundation was established following the success of Glasgow 2014, aiming to support sport and development programmes in each host city, with a focus on youth, inclusion and community.
The Foundation has so far raised almost £5m.
Commonwealth Sport Foundation chair, Adrian Lismore, said: “After Glasgow 2014, there was a clear feeling in this city that the Games had meant something more. The Commonwealth Sport Foundation was created to turn that passion into something permanent.
“With your help and donations, we exist to ensure that wherever the Games are hosted, the legacy continues.
“As with every host city and the amazing charity partners of the Games, we want to make sure Glasgow 2026 leaves the city stronger.”
Story ShopPhil Batty OBE, chief executive of Glasgow 2026, added: “We’re proud to welcome Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Scottish Sports Futures and the Team Scotland Youth Trust to the Glasgow 2026 family. Together, we’ll create lasting community benefits and social impact that reaches across Glasgow, Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth.
“Our charity partners’ incredible work creates brighter futures, supports those who need it most and inspires shared pride in communities everywhere.”
William McGowan-Smith, head of partnerships and business development at Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Commonwealth Sport Foundation, and we couldn’t be more excited for the Commonwealth Games to return to Glasgow.
“The Games transformed our city in 2014, and the support of the Foundation will continue that important legacy in 2026 by making a life-changing difference to the children and young people cared for at Scotland’s biggest children’s hospital.”
Scottish Sports Futures, one of the three local partners, works with young people facing barriers including poverty, trauma and challenges engaging with mainstream education.
Jude Reid, interim chief executive and head of sustainable business development at the charity, added: “As a sport and youth work charity, we see every day the transformative power that sport has to help young people reach their full potential.
“The increased energy and attention around sport during the Games gives us a huge opportunity to inspire young people and expand our reach.”
Gavin Hastings, Team Scotland Youth Trust chair, said: “This announcement highlights the powerful role the Commonwealth Sport Foundation and the Games more broadly can play in strengthening sport in Scotland, by supporting organisations like the Team Scotland Youth Trust.
“We see every day how the Trust inspires and unlocks the potential of the next generation of Team Scotland athletes, and the funding generated by the Foundation helps provide them with the opportunities, resources and experiences they need to grow and succeed in sport.”
Fans purchasing Glasgow 2026 tickets or official merchandise will be invited to add a donation at checkout, with funds supporting the three chosen Glasgow charities. Supporters will also be able to make standalone donations via the Commonwealth Sport Foundation.
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