A NEW YEAR WISH

A message from Ringside Charitable Trust’s Dave Harris

walked hundreds of miles to raise funds. Countless marathons have been run. There are so many wonderful caring people who have done so much.

Over the months and years ahead boxing will come under more public and media scrutiny regarding health issues and the long-term effects of our sport. If the boxing industry can show clarity, guidance, and care, then our wonderful sport and its athletes will be safeguarded. We have to show that we look after our own.

I close by wishing you all, in these very difficult times, health and happiness. per cent from their earnings to the charity. We offered to split this with the British Boxing Board of Control, so half would go to their benevolent fund and half would go to Ringside Charitable Trust. It was turned down.

Other sports, like football, rugby and horse racing, have the infrastructure in place to help their own. Boxing does not.

Over the past two years boxing fans have climbed mountains, abseiled down the Portsmouth Spinnaker, walked over London rooftops, amateur clubs have collected plastic off beaches. I know a young lady, Sophie Gallagher, although struggling with ill health, This is then used to offer shortterm financial support. If the UK promoters charged an extra pound or even 50p per ticket, stating that that money would be going towards the setting up and running of the care home, it could be open within a very short time.

Many are suffering now. Many fighters that we all worshipped are now lost in the shadows. PLEASE, promoters, add your support. Silence is no longer acceptable.

A year ago we offered to pay for a pilot project where we would ask boxers earning over £100,000 to contribute a tax deductible one TO our leading promoters and the British Boxing Board of Control. We all need to work together to ensure that the many boxers who have given their all to the sport and are now facing a sad and difficult future, have a secure, caring and loving environment, whether they need full-time or short-term respite care.

By working together, we can make the Ringside Charitable Trust home a first-class facility where stricken boxers are loved and cared for. We will make this a reality but, with your help, it will be sooner rather than later.

Promoters in the USA have put an extra dollar on the price of a ticket.