Jordan’s charity fight night return Ex-world champ back in ring for good cause
A former world champion kickboxer from Motherwell is to return to the ring next month to raise money for suicide awareness charity Chris’s House.
Jordan Mccafferty (18) will fight for the first time in three years at fundraising event ‘ Knockout the Stigma’ on September 8.
The New College Lanarkshire student was inspired to take part in the event after a close friend took his own life, and is encouraging fellow students to get in his corner by attending fundraising events at the college’s Motherwell, Coatbridge and Cumbernauld campuses in the week leading up to his fight.
The showcase is being organised by brothers Sam and Scott Allan, who manage the Rivals Gym in Wishaw.
Jordan, who studies HND computer aided draughting and design at the Motherwell campus, said: “I’m doing this to raise awareness of mental health.
“You get people who think they can’t talk about things, because there is a stigma, but people need to realise that you can talk, and that it’s all right.”
Jordan followed his dad Peter into tae kwon-do training when he was just three years old. He gained a clutch of Scottish, British and world champion titles in both kickboxing and tae kwon-do between 2011 and 2015, but was forced to stop due to ill health.
He added: “I feel motivated to do it again, and now I’m back enjoying it.
“Some people think of boxing as an angry sport, but it relaxes you and chills you out, and you forget about everything that’s going on in your life.
“I think it will be a bit emotional, but once I’m in the ring I’ll be focused on one thing only. It will be tough, but it’s for a good reason.”
New College Lanarkshire Students’ Association is hosting ‘ Jordan’s Fundraiser’ events at the Motherwell campus on September 4, Coatbridge campus on September 5, and Cumbernauld campus on September 6.
The events will raise awareness of Chris’s House, which was founded by Wishaw mum Anne Rowan following the death of her son Chris in 2011.
She has established a 24- hour crisis centre and growing network of volunteers to support anyone with suicidal thoughts, and their friends and families.
Knockout the Stigma is at Rivals Gym, Roberts Street, Wishaw. Tickets are priced £ 40, including a three- course meal, and are available from 07746 715904.