Tue, 16 Apr 2013
No5 Chambers counted out £28,000 in 2012 for Marie Curie
Boxing fans from Birmingham and beyond are delighted that No5 Chambers’ Ralph Lewis QC Memorial Cup will be up for grabs again in 2013. The announcement was made shortly after a cheque presentation when Paul Bleasdale QC, Head of No5 Chambers and Mr Lewis’ widow, Liz Lewis, presented a cheque for £28,000 to Noel Cramer and Emma Bryant of Marie Curie.
The exciting 8-bout event, to be held at the Aston Villa Banqueting Centre on Friday 5th July, will be compered by former professional boxer and Eurosport boxing commentator, Steve Holdsworth. “General fitness and conditioning training is already underway, under the watchful eye of the trainers at the Fighting City Gym which has strict procedures in place to provide a controlled and managed environment for the boxers,” says Tony McDaid, No5 Chambers Practice Director.
“Currently there are twenty eight barristers, clerks, solicitors and clients who have been tempted out of their sharp suits and into the ring to work out. Among them are No5 barristers Brian Dean, Ecky Tiwana, and Jinder Boora and No5 clerks Brett Moloney, Peter Mottram, Anthony Burgess, Mike Mayer, Matthew Saunderson and Adam Wadley.
“Boxing team training will begin in earnest during May and Neil Perkins and colleagues at the Gym will have the task of selecting sixteen who will be on the card to box in the 2013 Ralph Lewis QC Memorial Cup.
“Last year’s outstanding contest was a sell-out, with 500 fans clamouring to enjoy the black tie event. This year tables are already selling fast for the contest at Villa Park’s Banqueting Centre which, in addition to being an evening of thrills and spills, will hopefully raise as much money for Marie Curie as in 2012.”
Marie Curie Capital Appeal Director Noel Cramer adds: “I attended last year’s event and was impressed by the quality of the bouts, the commitment of the fighters and the size of the donation - £28,000 – which went towards the then Marie Curie Big build appeal.
“I should like to acknowledge the efforts of all who trained so hard and those who actually fought on the night. I’d also like to thank those who sponsored the fighters and the event and No5 Chambers for agreeing to do it all again this year. I wish all the boxers the very best with their training and I thank them for their commitment and courage and the team at the Gym for looking after the splendid contenders.”
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.
Some sponsorship opportunities are still available, from sponsoring the bouts to the drinks. Anyone seeking more information should email marketing@no5.com or dial 0845 210 5555, as should people wishing to contribute a prize for the raffle or auction.
Boxing fans, friends and relatives of the contenders and those wishing to have a great black tie night out on Friday 5th July 2013 can log on to www.no5.com/seminars to book single tickets at £100 + VAT each or tables of ten at £1000 + VAT each. They can also visit http://www.justgiving.com/ralph-lewis-qc-boxing-event-2013 to make a donation to Marie Curie.
Event sponsored by Wesleyan For Lawyers
