Hollie and Jack pack a punch for charity
Fundraisers Hollie Smith and Jack Anderson are limbering up for a 24-hour boxathon this weekend, writes Kathie Griffiths.
The pair will be taking on 20-minute bursts of boxing activities on the hour every hour from 8am on Saturday until 8am the next day.
Money they make will be split between a national charity that takes disadvantaged children and young adults to Lourdes, and Oban-based theatre group Spotlight.
Both Hollie and Jack, who is a Spotlight member, have helped HCPT Group 43 take trips to Lourdes before and plan to return in 2023 after Covid cancelled visits in 2020 and 2021. Their crowdfunding target is for £1,000 but they hope to double it.
During the boxathon they will be joined by trainers and other people – including Jack’s mum Maggie.
The event will start off at the Scout hall in Corran Brae before moving to Argyll Wellbeing Hub in Breadalbane Street.
‘It’s a big challenge but we’re both excited about it. People are welcome to call in, we’re hoping to make it a fun-for-all event. Any donations welcome,’ said Hollie, who admits she will be drinking lots of coffee to keep her awake. The duo hope to be able to live stream some, if not all, their efforts.
HCPT is a charity organisation that takes special needs and disadvantaged children and young adults to Lourdes in France for a week. The majority of helpers travelling with the group in April are young volunteers, such as 22-year-old Hollie and 29-year-old Jack, who give up their time to look after the children, making sure the trip is an experience they will remember forever.
All volunteers have to raise a minimum of £1,000 to allow a child to go free of charge.
During 2021, Hollie had already raised £1,000 for herself to go before the pandemic called off the trip.
‘We’re hoping to raise as much money as we possibly can,’ added Hollie.
You can help by visiting www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ hollie-smith.