I am taking part in a charity boxing event to raise money for the St Elizabeth Hospice. Now, whilst I have always wanted to do the training associated with boxing, as these guys are so fit, I have always erred on the "keeping my good looks" side of things and never had the guts to actually box before - it hurts too much!!

I am 9 weeks into 12 weeks of training so hopefully I will be fit and ready :)

Some may say that approaching 52 years of age I must be mad, but given the tremendous work and support the Hospice provides, it does put things firmly into perspective.

Out family have been dealt with a number of blows during the past 18 months.

Around 18 months ago Gillian King - my close Aunt, and Mother to David and Karl King, lost her battle with cancer. However the St Elizabeth Hospice provided fantastic care for her during her last few days/weeks to make her passing as comfortable as it could have been.

In March this year her devoted Husband, Austin King, also fell foul to this terrible disease within such a short space of time. Again the St Elizabeth Hospice not only provided much needed care for Austin during his final moments they also provided valuable rest-bite and support for David, Karl and their families.

Sandwiched in the middle of this I lost both my parents within an 11 week spell in 2016.

Just to compound things my Auntie Jackie passed away in December 2016.

Now, both Gill and Aussie as they were known, were hugely respected by everyone and had become great pillars within their local community, both heavily involved in their local church St Thomas' and the Lions Club, and both doing huge amounts of voluntary work for the benefit of others.

I know just about everyone has been affected by cancer in some way, and if you haven't yet, you almost certainly will be at some point, so it seems only fitting that organizations like St Elizabeth Hospice get some much needed funding in order they can continue to provide care and support, not only to the sufferers, but also the families that are equally effected - their selfless work often goes un-noticed.

The event takes place at Trinity Park, Ipswich on Saturday 24th June. If you would like tickets or require any further information please get in touch.

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