Knox was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in 2004. He currently uses a manual wheelchair for everyday use, but as his condition worsens it is increasingly difficult for him to push himself around. This restricts his ability to leave the house without assistance from his amazing wife Sam, or other friends and family. This has a detrimental effect on his mental health and any enjoyment he can still get from life. He recently trialed a Whill C2 Electric Chair, which he could use around the home and out for short journeys, but as with most disabled equipment this comes at a high cost of £5,000. Even if we can raise a part of this to help Knox, it would make a huge difference to him, all the charities he volunteers for, and individuals he has an impact on.

We plan to walk from Leeds train Station, to the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, where we currently train as members of the GB Boxing World Class Programme. We hope to complete the 33 miles journey in 12 hours on the 21st of December.

A former Petty Officer physical training instructor in the Royal Navy; who throughout his 13-year career Knox played both Rugby League and Rugby Union, boxed and was a ‘A Crew’ Command Field Gunner. He was medically discharged from the forces in 2004, and was then diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a month later.

MS is a condition which affects the brain and spinal cord and causes serious disabilities, gradually Knox got worse and was re-diagnosed as Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and became wheelchair dependent 7 years ago. Not only is Knox unable to walk, his MS leaves him in constant pain, suffering from full body spasms and tremors in his legs. It has also now affected his arms and hands and he cannot feel his fingers. Severe fatigue is another debilitating condition that Knox deals with every day.

But this does not deter Knox, who has since devoted his time to raising money to help others over the years, including kayaking single handed around Port sea Island to help a disabled child with much needed equipment. Knox is now currently training in the gym every morning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Jan 2022 in a specially adapted Mountain Trike; to raise money and awareness for the Amelia-Mae Foundation – a charity that helps families dealing with an aggressive childhood cancer, Neuroblastoma. 3 years ago Knox also co-founded the Heart of Hayling boxing academy to help alleviate the rise in anti-social behavior in the area. This involves attending sessions at the club every Wednesday evening to help deliver the boxing classes. As well as engaging with the local community to promote and drive inclusion for kids of all ages to take part in a sport which encourages discipline, routine, hard work, commitment, development, enjoyment and a sense of achievement.

Knox is also a part time student at the University of Portsmouth, working towards his Professional Doctorate. As well as setting up a podcast ‘The Gift of Being Broken’, In which he and business partner Alfie Ruffell will be interviewing those who have faced adversity in their lives and turned these into positive things, in the hope to inspire others going through hardship.

Instagram: @knoxwhite13