Amateurs get in ring for charity

A couple are organising a boxing tournament to raise money for an autism charity.

Terry Hadaway runs Maidstone Boxing Club in Buckland Hill and his partner Nicola Toms has a son who is autistic.

Finley Benton, who is six, is now doing well at a special school in Gravesend that caters for his needs.

But his mother feels she was lucky in recognising there was something different about Finley and getting his condition diagnosed at an early age.

Many parents are less fortunate and struggle on without understanding why their child is unresponsive.

Mr Hadaway said: “We had a lot of support from the Kent Autistic Trust in helping to get Finley diagnosed. I also have two boxers who train with me in the club who are autistic, so we both decided we wanted to do something to raise awareness of the condition and to raise some money for the charity.”

The couple have organised a Fighting For Autism event that will be held in Maidstone Leisure Centre in Mote Road on Saturday, May 26, starting at 6pm.

There will be five semi-professional bouts, but the main matches on the programme will be “white collar” bouts - amateurs, some of whom who have never boxed in front of an audience before.

The volunteers are currently all undergoing a free eight-week training course with Mr Hadaway at Maidstone Boxing Club.

The pair are hoping that with admission, a raffle and donations they might be able to raise £10,00 for Kent Autistic Trust.

Entry to the black tie event is £30.

Tickets are available by calling 07936 086141.