Bradley Davis - My boxing challenge and raising over £2,370 for Saint Francis Hospice

Builder Bradley Davis had never boxed until he signed up to take part in the Ultra White Boxing competition in Chelmsford. Not only did he win his fight, he raised an incredible £2,371 for Saint Francis Hospice.  Here Bradley shares how fundraising for the hospice gave him the motivation he needed to endure a gruelling eight-week training schedule and have the courage to face his opponent in the ring.

I signed up to the Ultra White Boxing competition after watching one of my friends in a match. I thought it would be fun and a fantastic opportunity to raise money for local charity.

My uncle is being cared for by Saint Francis Hospice and he is over the moon with the support he is receiving.

He told me how kind the nurses are when they come to visit and how he can just call if he needs any help.

Training was really tough, it was like boot camp. I trained with Scott from Box2Burn in Chelmsford two days a week and two days a week with Robin from The Art of Boxing in Romford. I have never worked so hard in my life.

When the day came, it was so scary and exciting at the same time. Before the fight could go ahead, I had to pass a medical to ensure my blood pressure and heart rate was good so I had to stay calm to pass the test.

The experience was not only physically challenging but also mentally. Until you are in that ring, you do not know the pressure on you, your brain is going 300 miles an hour. There were 2,000 people watching. I could not even look at my family and friends, I had to ignore them and just listen to my coach.

There were three 2-minute rounds, but the rounds feel so much longer when you are in that ring. The 1-minute break between the rounds felt like 10 seconds.

It was so amazing when I won. I was buzzing for three days afterwards.

I still feel very overwhelmed by how much money I have raised for the hospice. My target was £500, and I did not expect to raise over £2,370.

The fundraising became a massive motivator for me. You are a winner for getting in the ring but knowing you are also raising money to help people who really need it makes it more special.

I’d like to say a very special thank you to Scott and Robin for all their support and advice and making sure I was so prepared.

Photo: Bradley holding the cheque to Saint Francis Hospice with his partner Jessica Charlwood and their son Bradley