What am I doing?

This year, alongside my annual moustache growth to raise awareness for Movember, I'm also celebrating a major birthday and decided to get in a boxing ring to raise funds too. I'll be fighting in front of 1,000+ people in Henley-on-Thames on Saturday 9th November 2024. You can support me by donating here, buying a ticket to the event or sharing this with your friends, family and colleagues.

Why am I doing it?

For those who know me well, know that I have been a lifelong boxing fan. I have always dreamed of getting in a boxing ring, even if it was just one time, so I felt it was time to tick this off my bucket list.

Despite a lot trepidation, I have signed up for an 8 week training camp culminating in a black-tie event on Saturday 9th November 2024. The beginnings of my moustache will be proudly visible on this night.

I can confidently state that I am no athlete. I don't have any combat sports background. I am decades older than some of the young men I train with. I am decidedly heavier and slower than them too.

However despite these challenges, I have already battled through significant amount of self-doubt and nerves to sign-up to the training and, at the time of writing, actually completed 3 weeks of the 8 week camp. I have managed, with the support of my family, to juggle work and personal responsibilities to add this extra activity into my life. I have learnt entirely new skills, and begun to get accustomed to punching others and being punched in return. I have listened to my trainer and managed to get through some tough sessions, despite my worries that I might not be able to.

Alongside this personal challenge, there is a broader challenge to address.

Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing a health crisis, yet it’s rarely talked about. Men are dying too young and we can’t afford to stay silent.

Men are dying on average 4 years earlier than women. Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men. 69% of all suicides are man, with one man dying by suicide every minute of every day.

This is why raising awareness of suicide prevention, mental health, prostate cancer and testicular cancer is so important. Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men's health, and I am proud to be a part of this movement.

What am I asking for?

I am tackling a massive and lifelong personal challenge this year, so I am asking for your donations to support me as well as Movember.

You can support by donating here, buying a ticket to the event (please contact me directly about this), or sharing this with your friends, family and colleagues.

Anything you can spare to show your support goes a long way in motivating me but also supporting a very worthy cause.

Thank you.

Jay