No5 Chambers recently held the 10 bout Ralph Lewis QC Memorial Cup 2012 to raise funds for Marie Curie. Following the event, which was held at the Aston Villa Banqueting Centre, Paul Bleasdale QC, Head of No5 Chambers and Mr Lewis’ widow Liz Lewis presented a cheque for £28,000 to Marie Curie Capital Appeal Director Noel Cramer and his colleague Emma Bryant. 
 
Boxers at the event – compered by respected TV sports’ commentator and presenter, Gary Newbon were, in the main, local barristers and solicitors who had all undergone a tough training regime at the Fighting Fit City Gym in Lionel Street. 
 
Tony McDaid, No5 Chambers’ Practice Director, says: “I am delighted that the Ralph Lewis QC Memorial Cup was once again a highlight in Birmingham’s social calendar and raised £28,000 in table sales and the raffle and charity auction. Well done to all who stepped into the ring and thanks to the trainers at the Fighting City Gym for providing the combatants with a controlled and managed environment. Thanks also go to the companies that donated prizes for the auction and raffle, Wesleyan for Lawyers – the main sponsor of the night – and everyone who bought tickets so they could enjoy the spectacle whilst at the same time helping us to raise funds for Marie Curie.” 
 
Chris Rawstron, Chairman of Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Big build appeal, adds. “The wonderful Ralph Lewis QC Memorial Cup 2012 event has once again raised a significant sum which will go towards the new Marie Curie Hospice in Solihull, costing around £20m. 
 
“This facility is due to open in January 2013 and will provide care in the hospice itself and for people across the region who want to remain in their own homes,” continues Chris. “I should just like to thank No5 Chambers, the boxers and all who played a part in raising £28,000.” 
 
The brave boxers who slugged it out on the night were: 
Matt Davies (Stave Construction) who fought Jinder Boora (No5 Chambers)
Ben Mortimer who fought Andrew Constantinou (Punter Southall)
Matthew Neal who fought Matt Brunning (No5 Chambers)
Mark Lennon (Irwin Mitchell) who fought Ed Milburn (No5 Chambers)
Nathan Chan (Bodyshocker) who fought David Tyack (No5 Chambers)
Simon Pearce (Dr of Neurology) who fought Ben Todd (No5 Chambers)
Andrew Henry (DAC Beachcroft) who fought Tom Nener (DLA Piper)
Sean O’Toole who fought Simon Hammond (BLM Law)
James Brunning (Surgeon) who fought Gavin Tansley (DAC Beachcroft)
Perminder Devgun (Lyons Davidson) who fought Anthony Burgess (No5 Chambers)
 
Former Head of No5 Chambers, Ralph Lewis QC, was a promising boxer while at Oxford University and it remained one of his twin sporting loves, the other being Welsh Rugby. He died in July 2010 after a short but courageously fought battle with cancer. His friends and colleagues at No5 Chambers decided that a charity boxing event would be a fitting memorial, with all proceeds going to Marie Curie. 
 
Visit https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/en-gb/donate/directdebit/ should you wish to make a donation to Marie Curie. Boxing fans or wannabe contenders interested in the Ralph Lewis QC Memorial Cup 2013 should contact No5 Chambers’ Marketing team via marketing@no5.com or 0845 210 5555.