For eight weeks Bow will play home to several charity fundraisers who are getting in shape to put on a boxing show to support the Armed Forces.
George Gibbs, with the help of Natalie Emms, from Bow, has teamed up with ex-servicemen and women, as well as those who want to show their appreciation for Britain’s troops, to host a boxing event to raise funds for the charity Help for Heroes.
The fundraisers began training at the Ringside Boxing Gym in Bow last week in preparation for the big event being held at the East Ham Working Men’s Club, in Boleyn Road, on December 2.
“Most of the fighters have never taken part in a boxing event,” said George, a former Royal Engineer from Hackney.
“They are only doing three training sessions a week over the course of the eight weeks.
“You can see they’re really working hard and are giving up their own time outside of training.”
One of the fighters, Sam Madigans, from Beckton, said it was a privilege to be able to show his support of the troops by fighting in the Boxing4Heroes event.
“As soon as a I heard about the opportunity to give something back to our service men and women, I was instantly interested,” Sam said.
“After all the hardship a lot of our troops old and new have gone through. I felt quite privileged to have the opportunity to support them.
“Even more so when I was told that there was a chance to stay active and keep fit. I thought it accommodated what our troops do for us quite well — they fight for us, so we can now fight for them.”
One of the ex-servicemen taking part in the East Ham boxing show, Chris York, first got involved after witnessing first hand the sacrifices that troops have to make.
“I served with the Royal Engineers search team as part of the counter IED task force in Afghanistan in 2013,” Chris recalled.
“Soldiers were killed and injured, the people I shared living space with, the people I served alongside.
“For those that returned with injuries both physical and mental, I am raising funds to help make their lives more comfortable, and hopefully give them the support they need to move forward with the knowledge that we are here to help our heroes.”
Some of the boxers have already set up an online fundraising page where supporters can donate to individual fighters with all proceeds going towards Help for Heroes, online at: justgiving.com/teams/easthamdec2.
To purchase tickets, which cost £25, call 07495 941638.
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