Mon, 13 Feb 2012
Boxing fans from Birmingham and beyond will no doubt be delighted to learn that No5 Chambers’ Ralph Lewis QC Memorial Cup will be up for grabs again in 2012. The announcement was made at a cheque presentation when Tony McDaid, No5 Chambers’ Practice Director climbed into the ring at the Fighting Fit City Gym in Lionel Street, Birmingham and handed over £25,000 to Chris Rawstron, Chairman of Marie Curie Cancer Care’s Big build appeal. The appeal aims to raise £7 million to build a new Marie Curie Hospice in the West Midlands – to provide care in the hospice itself and for people across the region who want to remain in their own homes.
The exciting 9-bout event, to be held at the Aston Villa Banqueting Centre on Friday 6th July, will be compered again by respected TV sports’ commentator and presenter, Gary Newbon.
“We have had barristers, clients and solicitors beating a path to our doors since the start of this year looking to fight in the 2012 Ralph Lewis QC Memorial Cup,” says Tony McDaid. “Many have already thrown their hats into the ring to join the boxing boot camp and train in the noble art under the watchful eye of the Fighting City Gym which has strict procedures in place to provide a controlled and managed environment for the fighters.”
“The inaugural event in July last year was a sell-out, with over 300 fans enjoying the black tie event. This year we have moved the event to Villa Park’s Banqueting Centre which can cater for up to 500 and I expect an evening of thrills and spills.”
Rick Parfitt (Marie Curie), Tony McDaid (No5 Practice Director), Chris Rawstron (Marie Curie) and Neil Perkins (Fighting Fit City Gym)
The lure of the Ralph Lewis QC Memorial Cup has tempted many white collar boxing aficionados out of their sharp suits and into the ring for training in the hope of being one of the lucky few to have their names on the card for the night of 6th July.
Chris Rawstron adds: “I followed the event in 2011 and was impressed by the quality of the bouts, the commitment of the fighters who trained hard for the contest and the size of this purse - £25,000 – which will be go towards the Marie Curie Big build appeal for development of a new West Midlands’ hospice.
“I should like to acknowledge the efforts of all who trained and fought last year and also thank those who sponsored the fighters and the event and No5 Chambers for agreeing to do it all again this year. This cheque presentation is the only time I shall be stepping into the ring as I hung my gloves up a long time ago, but 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.”
Anyone interested in joining the trainee boxers at the Fighting Fit City Gym should contact marketing@no5.com or phone +44 (0) 845 210 5555. The contenders are given tailored training programmes and their trainers will decide who will get to slug it out in 9 carefully matched bouts across the evening, each of 3 two-minute-rounds.
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.
A number of sponsorship opportunities are available, from sponsoring the bouts to the drinks and anyone seeking more information should email marketing@no5.com or visit www.No5.com/Boxing or call +44 (0) 845 210 5555, as should people wishing to contribute a prize for the raffle or auction or looking to make a charitable donation to Marie Curie.
Boxing fans, friends and relatives of the contenders and those wishing to have a great black tie night out on Friday 6th July 2012 can log on to www.no5.com/seminars and follow the straightforward instructions to book single tickets at £100 + VAT each or tables of ten at £1000 + VAT each.
