Please help my brother Patrick and me raise money for the Heart of England Boxing Club, in memory of my godson, Christian Hobbs.

On 16th September 2018, Patrick and I will take part in the Dart 10k. Although we both swim pretty regularly, the 10k from Totnes to Dittisham is really an awful lot further than either of us have ever swum before. Our decision to give it a go was made at about 3am on New Year’s Day. Nevertheless, we still think it’s a pretty good idea because we can try to raise some funds for a terrific cause. More about the Heart of England Boxing Club in a moment. First, a bit about Christian.

Christian Hobbs was the son of our great friends, Louise and Caspar. He was funny and kind and one of those independent-minded kids you can’t wait to see grow up just to find out what they are going to do with their lives. It was not to be. Christian died on Boxing Day last year aged just 17. His death was both completely unexpected and utterly devastating to all who knew him.

The thing that Christian really loved to do was to box. For the last 4 years, he trained at the Heart of England Boxing Club in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The club is run by Nick Griffin and offers proper facilities and serious training to those who might not otherwise have access to them. Unfortunately, earlier this year the Club's landlords decided to redevelop the premises and it had to move out. A temporary home has been found for now but, unless funding for permanent premises can be raised, the Club will cease to exist.

To find out more about the Club, please have a look at the short video that was made when it pitched for funding from the Persimmon Homes Healthy Communities Fund.

It is a testament to the importance of the Club that it won the award. The Persimmon money will go a long way to ensuring the Club's survival but more is needed.

Christian’s parents are determined that some good will come from their terrible loss. They have devoted themselves to raising funds for the Club as has Christian’s sister, Isobel. Patrick and I want to help. Any money that you can spare to sponsor us on this fool’s errand of a swim will be most gratefully received.

If enough is raised to secure a new home for the Club, it is to be called ‘The Christian Hobbs Memorial Gym, home of the Heart of England’ and I can think of no more fitting tribute to him.