My UWCB Journey started last year when I took on Reece Davidson on the 16th of July 2022 and took a loss but a massive win. Raising a total of £580 and dedicating 8 weeks of hard gruelling blood sweat and tears to my incredible Grandma.

My grandma was my world. When I had a hard day at school or had a ridiculous idea or thought grandma's is where I would go and a meat and potato pie would be waiting on the table shortly followed by are you staying over tonight which would always be a yes. My grandma was the most caring lady ever she didn't care how much jibber jabber I spoke to her she would always listen with an open heart and a few words of ,somewhat wisdom. However get on the wrong side of her and ey by gum you would know about it. Grandma would shout at me if I did wrong like any other grandparent but the one thing that would kill is the words "no you shouldn't have done that josh" because that meant she was disappointed in me. I never wanted to disappoint you grandma. But when your grandad has a draw full of Manchester United merch and your grandma is a strong Liverpool fan the temptation and very often performance of parading it was unbearable. 

As we finished a strong 2019 grandma like she always did said I'm not going to make it through this year, which was very quickly dismissed with a laugh and a hug with a kiss on the forehead. Little did I know.

Grandma became sick. She went to America and had no energy to do much which we thought was down to examination and her lover for her bed. However this time was the real deal after coming home due to covid grandad got her to the hospital to be told she had terminal cancer. The only way I can describe being told this is like an elastic band getting tighter with every word and finally as reality hits it snaps. However we had no time to sit and cry about the future we had work to do. I worked full days making the garden look good for her whilst others would look after her first hand. Seeing my grandma in such a state was heartbreaking. I often had to go around the corner to covet the tears so she didn't know how scared I was of loosing her. Months went by and instead of growing weaker the fight in this proud Yorkshire lass showed but nobody can prevent the end just prolonge it. 

I remember the first time in months going into the front room masked up and sanitised and experiencing the atmosphere first hand and it shook me to the core. I held composure as much as possible when holding her hand but sometimes it's good just to show her how I was feeling and she would say it will be alright.

Belgium grandprix was going to be the first grand prix I would experience with my grandma for months watching on the TV. I must have spent all day sat next to her watching the practice on the Friday enjoying every last bit. No phone just enjoying the moment for what it was holding her hand and watching the grand prix but it was always in the air that this could be the last and it was. I left that night with a massive smile on my face. I kissed her forehead and told her how much I loved her like every night sat outside the window and went to leave the room. She replied "you can visit me any time you want you know with a cheeky smile and a goodbye I love you" little did I know they were the last words she would ever say to me. The next day arrived and she was in a unresponsive mode where she could hear us and understand her surroundings but couldn't communicate. My heart broke. I still watched fp3 and qualifying in the hall way as the doctors and carers would look after her. I remember just begging for one last conversation with her. That night the whole family were gaverd in the living room surrounding her singing our hearts out making the most of the beautiful lady she was and we could see her joining in. I went home that night to return early hours the next morning to be by her bedside ever second. I woke up to a figure storking her head and I said who's that and mum replied its just grandad. But grandad had only gone to the toilet. That morning I woke up bright and early and it was a gorgeous day which very quickly changed. I won't talk about how the end came that day because every body has a connection to someone effected by cancer but it was awful. 

The carers arrived shortly after she passed and they made her look comfortable cleaned up and just in a deep sleep. When I walked in on my own I remembered the amount of times I'd opend that door with a cup of tea and some biscuits for her whilst she would be watching Alaska Bush people and the smile she gave me every time. I sat next to her and spoke to her about this girl I had been talking to and how I had my life planned our for the future. I also sang the song we always sang (the gambler). The more I listen to that song the more I realise the meaning of it, maybe she was trying to tell me something. I never wanted to leave her side I wanted to cuddle her up and tell her how I was going to drive her to morcambe for a fish and chips and how she would me my children and the more I talked the more the tears flowed.

My grandma will always be with me. I feel her spirit in my heart every morning and every night. I dance with her in my dreams and I will dance with her again when my time comes. 

July 8th I'm jumping in the ring once again but instead of dedicating it just to my incredible late Grandmother. I want to dedicate it to anybody effected by this. Cancer isn't going to disappear unless we do something. Might be small might be big but every little helps. 

If you know someone who has had cancer has cancer or sadly died of cancer and want to have their name stitched on my boxing shorts and ring walk jacket donate just £10 to this just giving page and I will wear their name with pride in gold stitching on the night.

if you would like your business promoted  the donation is £50 and the logo will be printed onto my vest and jacket with consistent promotion up until and on the event in front of around 400 guests. 

(if you have donated previous to this event 26th November the donations will be carried over and the names as well) 

I would like to take this time to thank everybody who has supported me on this journey to be back to who I am and where I am today. I truly can say I wouldn't be here without you commitment and persistence and I promise to put on one hell of a night regardless of win or loose I love you all.

"I wake up every morning with a smile on my face"

Josh x ❤