YEAR-END REPORT

Ringside Rest and Care had a productive 2019 but it was just the beginning

IT was a year of significant progress for Ringside Rest and Care in 2019 and Dave Harris – the inspirational man behind the scheme to bring a residential care home for ex-boxers to Britain – is optimistic that by the end of 2020, they will have raised £1m.

It’s a huge target but Harris, who has a history of proving people wrong, is rolling up his sleeves and getting ready for the challenge ahead. After all, over the last 12 months, mountains were scaled, and many miles covered in ventures that saw the money start to pile up.

“We’ve already shown what we’re about by getting this far,” said Harris. And that is very true. Though Harris’ idea was embraced by the British boxing industry, and relentless work among the sport’s various communities raised significant cash for the cause, those with the resources to make the biggest difference failed to step forward.

Harris and his team carried on regardless. It’s not an easy process securing charity status but that was achieved within nine months. Waiting behind the scenes are backers ready to show their financial support once the charity has shown it is sustainable. Several boxers and ex-boxers in need have already been a beneficiary of that charity. But it was just a tiny amount of help compared to what this venture will ultimately be capable of.

The year ahead sees the release of a charity single and fundraisers are in place for Park Lane, London. Harris and his team of trustees – who have not taken a penny from the pot – would like to thank everyone for their support in the past year and implore more to get involved.

In turn, Boxing News would like to thank Dave and his team for their tireless efforts; it’s a brilliant cause and one we should all be supporting.