I'm about to celebrate my 60th birthday and what better way to mark it than by asking 60 people to beat me up, one after another – and hopefully raise some money for a great cause. 

My ‘60SIXTY SPARATHON' is to raise money for a great project – Carney’s Community in South London. Carney’s Community is a unique venture, helping disadvantaged kids find purpose and discipline – via sport.

For half my life I’ve spent Saturdays boxing at Fitzroy Lodge, Lambeth’s famous amateur boxing club and home to its charity wing, Carney’s Community, named after founder Mick Carney. This community became core to my life and influenced my conduct in so many areas. The coaching team here help so many people, especially kids - kids who are struggling for purpose and discipline in life. This really resonates with me on a personal level.

Many of the kids Carney’s Community helps spend their lives being passed between different agencies (one young person had to tell his story to 40 different professionals before accessing support) which can leave them frustrated and disengaged from support services. Carney's Community offers young people the chance to build a trusting relationship with a single consistent person and that relationship lasts as long as the young person needs. There is mentoring on offer for when they want it and are motivated to make changes in their lives.

So, to celebrate my age and my love of boxing – and more importantly to raise money for this great cause – I am inviting people to step into the ring with me and box!  I will body spar for 60 continuous one and half minute rounds – only pausing for a changeover of ‘opponents’ – and a celebratory photo of course.

How can you support me?  Sponsor me per completed round, or simply donate to the cause.  You could even bid for a round; for those of you who want to jump in the ring and bash me up! Book a round from 1 to 60 and throw some leather at this OLD GIT!

https://www.facebook.com/carneyscommunity/
https://fitzroylodge.club/
https://youtu.be/etOIyCPi4gQ
https://youtu.be/9wb_tc6L4Po
https://youtu.be/6nt8erRG5Tk

My 60SIXTY SPARATHON takes place on Saturday 30th April from 10am at Fitzroy Lodge ABC, 180 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JY. For more info, please email me on npj@byinstinct.com.