New BBC Gladiators winner becomes Kinship Ambassador

BBC TV Gladiators winner Josh McDonald who is raising his younger brother following the death of their mum, has joined Kinship as our new Ambassador.

The Glasgow fitness coach who discussed his new role on BBC Breakfast and BBC 5 Live this week during the broadcaster’s Caring Matters Week, plans to use his celebrity platform to highlight the need for better support for kinship carers – relatives and family friends who step up to look after children when their parents can’t.

More than 153,800 children are in kinship care in England, Wales and Scotland – that’s more than double the number in foster care.

Josh, 28, and his two younger brothers Ben, 25, and Max, 15, who has autism lost their mum Clare two years ago in 2024 following a long illness.

Josh said: “Mum was unwell for most of Maxi’s life as she was diagnosed with cancer when I was 18. I remember she sat me down in the living room and told me the news and we both cried.

“I had no time to grieve when she passed in 2024 because I was parenting Max. I literally had to pick him up from school and break the news to him, which was as hard as losing mum. Then it was straight into who is looking after Max the next day, who is buying the food, who is paying the bills and sorting his medication.
“One minute I was a 25-year-old with my own life and then I’m responsible for a 13-year-old-child. But it’s your family and nothing else matters.
“I have big aspirations in life, but I’ve had to put a lot on hold. For me and my family Max comes first. His happiness trumps all and he’s doing really well physically and mentally.

“Yes, it’s amazing to win Gladiators and people recognise me from that but I can’t believe the impact my own kinship story has had. I’m absolutely delighted to become a Kinship Ambassador and really excited to shine a light on kinship care and the support that kinship families like mine need.

“I’m constantly being stopped in the street by people who can relate to it. I felt quite secluded as a kinship carer and hadn’t even heard of the term kinship carer. Little did I know there are so many people in the same situation, so I can’t wait to join Kinship to raise awareness and help other kinship carers.”

Last year Gladiators winner Joe Fishburn who was brought up by his beloved grandmother Christine became an Ambassador for Kinship and has been raising awareness about kinship care ever since. Josh and Joe appeared on the BBC Breakfast sofa and BBC 5Live this week to shine a light on kinship care.

Josh said: “It’s incredible to have two Gladiators winners that are either raising a kinship child or have been raised by a relative to talk about kinship care authentically and passionately. We have such a unique bond due to our kinship experiences and I know we’ll make a great team.”

Kinship chief executive, Lucy Peake welcomed Josh on board and said: “We’re so thrilled that Josh has joined forces with Kinship to back our campaign to get kinship families the support they desperately need.

“Josh is one of the thousands of unseen kinship carers who step up in times of crisis to keep children within a loving and stable family. His first-hand experience of raising his younger brother makes him perfectly placed to join us to get kinship families the support and recognition they need and deserve.

“We are privileged and grateful to have two amazing kinship experienced Gladiators winners on board and we know that together Josh and Joe will make a huge positive impact.”

Unlike foster carers, most kinship carers receive little to no financial support to cover the costs of raising a child, and unlike adoptive parents, no statutory right to employment leave when they take on the care of a child. They also lack emotional and therapeutic and practical support for their kinship children. Kinship is urging the government to design support services for the complex and intensive needs of kinship children because the current system is not working.

Kinship fights to get kinship carers recognition and support through our  #ValueOurLove campaign and our national peer support service supports kinships carers to set up thriving support groups in their area where they can share experiences, create a community and build resilience.