Young boxing pals stage a knockout fundraiser.

A dedicated and determined team of young boxers have raised more than £3,500 for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

The 20 millennials from Oldham demonstrated their dedication to the cause as they staged a fabulous ten bout boxing event  on Easter Sunday.

Twenty year old Rian Carter-Dean inspired 19 mates to join him in the ring at Oldham’s Community Leisure Centre, for the boxing extravaganza.

The challenge began in January, when Rian and his mates decided to do something to raise money for the care of patients and families from their own community.  The group collectively chose Dr Kershaw’s Hospice as the charity they would like to support.

Meeting twice, sometimes three times a week at Marvin Greaves Boxing Academy in Hollinwood, the group trained to take on the fight of their lives. They took on a gruelling training regime, which not only gave them the skills they needed to compete in the boxing ring but also changed their lives.

Of their experience Rian said “A group of us had talked about doing some sort of white collar boxing challenge.

“One conversation led to another and we soon had a group of 20 who wanted to get involved.

“Marvin Greaves not only made sure we were ‘bout fit’ but also guided us through the rules and regulations we were to follow in the ring and the sportsmanship that is important in boxing,” Rian added.

With everything in place for the big day, a hitch with the fight location soon tested the organisers’ metal. But with postponement on the cards, the lads pulled together and with the help of family, friends and Kelly and her team at OCL, at the eleventh hour they managed to find a new location.

“When Rian phoned to say the fight may have to be postponed we were devastated for them. They had put so much work into organising the event, it would have been dreadful for them to have to postpone,” said  Dr Kershaw’s Community Fundraiser, Lillie 
Winterbottom. 

“The team had many hurdles to get over and it all seemed impossible but they pulled together and amazingly managed to stage the event at OCL.” 

Lillie added: “It was amazing how much passion they had and how much hard work they put in for the event to go ahead”.

As the sun shone on Easter Sunday, the main sports hall at OCL began to fill with family, friends and supporters, all keen to see the spectacle that the lads had organised. 

What followed was ten rounds of boxing, seeing pals punching, ducking and diving, creating a fantastic finale to all the efforts they had put in for others.

Master of Ceremonies for the event was Rian’s Grandad Terry, himself a fundraising stalwart for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, having been involved in raising money to help open the hospice 30 years previously.

With referee Marvin Greaves presiding over each bout to ensure safety and fair play, Team Red and Team Blue battled it out for the honours.

Of the whole experience Rian said: “It was definitely a huge learning curve!  It taught all of us that determination and dedication are key, not just in the ring, but in life. 

“We all learnt a lot about ourselves and the last few months have not only changed our outlook on life but also our habits.  We’re all now fitter, more careful about what we eat and lighter!  

“One of the group has even given up smoking – what a fantastic change of lifestyle that is.  

“With the last minute change of venue we’ve learned that perseverance pays off. We couldn’t be more proud, not just of the fantastic amount of money we have raised for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, £3,653.56, but for our own achievements.”

A special thanks goes to the many people who helped them make their ambitions a reality, including Kelly at OCL, Gary Carter and Football coaches Adam and Jack Dunkerley from AJ1-2-1 Coaching, without whose help the event would have been postponed.

Speaking about the event, Hospice Chief Executive Joanne Sloan said: “It’s heart warming to know that our community will go to such lengths to ensure that people from their community receive the care they deserve at the end of their lives. 

“We are so proud of Rian and his mates, not just for what they have done for the hospice but for showing the whole community that the future of the Borough and hospice care is in such good hands”.

After looking around the hospice and presenting their fundraising cheque, Rian, family and friends pledged their support in the future. 

“They have set the bar very high,” said Lillie Winterbottom.

“This was an outstanding event, something that they should be very proud of.  We can’t wait to see how the group develop a new challenge in the future and how their futures develop in life.”