Around the middle of last year after much soul searching I came to many realisations about my life, and I decided that I wanted to find something to challenge me, something to commit to, something accomplish,  and that I could be proud of.

Then pops an e-mail from The White Collar Fight Club, into my inbox, at that exact moment.  I’d dabbled with boxing, or rather boxing exercises, over a few years prior (more of this in a bit), and the timing of it seemed all too perfect, so I went for it.

We’d be provided with 8 weeks of intensive training, 3 times a week, which would finish with us fighting in a real ring in front of 1500 people at a special black tie event, with all of our friends and family along to watch.  

To say this was pushing me out of my comfort zone was an understatement, the last time I’d stepped on a stage was many, many years ago when I took the lead in a school play!

So I signed up, and started the training, all the while trying to raise money for their chosen charity at the time, Mind.  I was really gaining momentum with the training as the 8 weeks started to go by, looking forward more and more to the Fight Night.

But unfortunately last year it wasn’t to be.  In week 3 I caught Covid, and despite really being adamant that my healthy immune system would pull me through quickly, Covid had other ideas and I had to pull out.

I was gutted, completely. 

I’d put my heart and soul into the process up to that point, and to have to admit defeat was just heart wrenching for me.  

But it was what it was, and it turns out it all happened for a reason…

Why boxing?

Many, many years ago a incredibly special friend of mine, Steve, tried to get me into fitness.  At the time I was young and wild and fitness really was not my priority, but I loved the time we spent together and somehow it grew on me. 

When he put a pair of boxing gloves on me for the first time he gave me so much encouragement, he made me believe I was as fierce as Mike Tyson, even though my arms were like noodles with no strength, he really believed in me (and everyone in his life) and helped me believe in myself.  If it wasn’t for Steve I’m not sure I’d even be into fitness, let alone boxing.

Steve had a huge heart and gave everyone so much love, honestly he was just so special.  

Steve sadly took his own life in 2018. I carried on boxing as an ode to him.

CALM

I’m now just a few weeks away from my rescheduled fight which will take place on May 14th.  This year, by some magical turn of events, we’re raising money for CALM, instead.  CALM is a suicide prevention charity, there to try and help when dark times take over. It’s understandably incredibly close to my heart and I can’t help but feel there’s some divine intervention at play here.

Last year I was able to raise £600 for Mind, how wonderful!  This year I want to raise the same for CALM, because it’s so much more dear to me.

Lance – my boss – has agreed that Forman’s will match the donations!!!  Which I am absolutely over the moon about, so much so that I shed a little tear when he told me!

If you can spare even just a small amount I’ll be incredibly grateful.  And yes, I’m going to win! 😊

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I'm taking part in The White Collar Fight Club event in aid of CALM, on 14 May 2022! Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a charity united against suicide. This means standing up to feeling shit, standing up to stereotypes, and standing together to show that life is always worth living. It only costs £8 for CALM to answer a potentially lifesaving call or webchat. Your support will help CALM continue to be there for anyone who needs them. CALM is there for everyone struggling with life, no matter who they are, where they're from or what they're going through. Whether that be mental health issues, debt, addiction, job loss, divorce, homelessness, they've got your backs. I am proud to stand with CALM, and together, fight and unite against living miserably.Looking to sign up - head to thewhitecollarfightclub.co.uk/