Nearly 15 years ago, my sister (Kaleisha) and I lost our mother to cancer. She had been battling the disease for 12 years prior, thinking that she had beaten it 3 times, before she was diagnosed the fourth time as terminally ill.
My mother was my role model and one of the strongest people I’ve ever known – a single parent fighting to improve our situation whilst battling this relentless illness. She never complained, did her absolute best for us, and made the most of life at every opportunity.
Unfortunately, she couldn't win her last battle. But this is a chance for me to carry on the fight on her behalf – by helping others to battle cancer through the wonderful charity Haymakers For Hope.
I have played rugby most of my life and embarked on numerous physical challenges. However, the athletes that I have always admired the most are boxers. The idea of two people stepping into a ring and, after months of training, throwing 100% of their physical and mental strength into hurting one another is unnerving.
This is a daunting challenge. I have no boxing experience (which seems rare for this event) and have only 3 months to learn the basics and compete. I am very much out of my comfort zone and I'm hoping that you will help to support me in the daily grind that has become my training – my body aches every day, my knuckles are bleeding, and I’ve already taken some big hits to the head and body. Your sponsorship and the knowledge that we are helping people in their fight against cancer will make it all worthwhile.