Well 7 years have passed since I faced my biggest fear and jumped out of a plane, and now I'm getting the itch to do something equally terrifying. It could be that in May I'm turning 40, and I'm actually having a proper mid-life crisis, or it could be that I'm just a self-destructive kind of guy...

On March 22nd I will be taking part in a Charity Boxing Match as part of the Ultra White Collar Boxing Event! 8-weeks of intense training followed by a fight with another UWCB participant, in front of a live audience at Teesside University's Student Hub.

Just to make it extra fun, I'll be proceeding it with the Middlesbrough Half-Marathon on March 2nd and capping off my 'fit at 40' ambition with the Edinburgh Marathon on May 24th. It will be my 5th Official Marathon attempt, trying to get a sub 4hr time (best 4:02:13) and given that I'm the heaviest and least fit I've ever been, I've got quite the mountain to climb!

I wouldn't be doing this if I couldn't raise awareness and support for a fantastic and transformational charity, like Macmillan. There isn't a day that goes by that my family, and I don't think about Mam, living without her in our lives is the most painful thing that we must endure. Getting punched in the face is probably no picnic either but I can't imagine it'll come remotely close. Macmillan did an amazing job of supporting both my Mam and the family throughout all the ups and downs that come when someone you love is afflicted by cancer. Every penny raised will go to supporting their team and making real impact to those that are going through and may go through similar challenges.

My son never got to meet my Mam, but I know she's formed a part of him, and I know they would have been the best of friends. I'm 100% sure she'd tell me off for boxing though…

Thank you all so much,

Math

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