There is a multitude of inspirations behind this journey into boxing that I embark.

1. The Charity

Ambitious about Autism is a charity close to my heart that approached me following a Linkedin post in 2023. The post was a dedication to my 11 year old step son - Oliver, who has Autism and ADHD and as a result suffers with his mental health. I could write a book about Oliver, but as his disability is not visible physically, as a consequence he has to overcome challenges every single day to merge into a 'normal' society. 

If you know one person with Autism, you know one person with Autism. Having taken more time to talk with the charity, the alarming matter for myself was the employability percentages of those with Autism, are currently the lowest of the disability spectrum. Which is frankly terrifying and wrong because they are quite truly wonderful, skilled and talented people. I am rallying for my business to assist with work experience and work skills for the charity, but I felt personally to put my own money where my mouth is - or hopefully yours, to raise funds for the cause!

2. Why? 

A multitude of reasons, in 2017 I sadly lost my father, this and other mentally difficult obstacles over the best part of the past decade or so have spiraled into affecting my own mental and physical health.

 Mentally I have had fantastic support and therapy to assist fighting my demons, but physically since the loss of my father the constant theme for discussion in my house with my wife is - "I'll start Monday, a new diet, a new exercise regime,"

being totally candid I am a fat bastard, probably 1.5-2stone overweight, quite unhappy as a consequence, and the jeopardy of knowing if I don't have something to obsess over, to help me lose this weight,  I will end up embarrassing myself, knocked down or out in a boxing fight infront of a big crowd supported by my nearest, dearest and work colleagues. This to me feels (naively perhaps) the right balance between risk and reward to motivate me. (and will be all great until I get a couple of teeth knocked down my throat!)

3. Boxing, Howcome?

I am interested in sport and mainly focus on football, cricket, golf and horse racing. However I have always loved boxing as a sport, and not just the big paperview fights, a Saturday night at York Hall is something that feels part of the fabric of Britain for myself. 

As a participant and viewer in the aforementioned (apart from horse racing, as we have figured the poor horse if I ever sat on one!) Boxing or any form of combat sport is not one I have ever tried.

 And for me the ultimate sport, of 2 individuals, no where to hide, having to be in the peak of physical and mental fitness.

Secondly and finally, the other male inspiration in my life, my late great grandfather Thomas Benjamin Hixon. He served his country in World War 2, and boxed in the 17th Coy Grenadier guards. When he passed I was left his boxing gloves which he fought 1 round against the Brown Bomber Joe Louis. My cousin wonderfully framed the gloves for me as a Christmas present, and the idea of boxing that I circled around the edges of for the past while, this was the moment I said, "fuck it", I am going to do it !

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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