Boxers raise £20,000 for Indee Rose

29 July 2010

ULTRACHEM TKO gymnasium boss Johnny Eames admitted this week he was 'overwhelmed' with the response to his celebrity football tournament, in aid of the Indee Rose Trust, at Brockwell Stadium, Canvey Island, Essex, on Sunday.

"Some of boxing's biggest names, including former world champion Ricky Hatton, kept their promise to attend and made it a special day for more than 2,000 spectators," said the TKO gym trainer-manager.

Officials of the Indee Rose Trust, which provides support to children recovering from brain and spinal tumours were working out the finances this week and confirmed a sum in excess of £20,000 was raised.

"That's an amazing figure," said Johnny Eames. "Competing teams came from all over the United Kingdom, including Liverpool, Scotland and Ireland - and did not ask for one penny expenses - it just showed how genuine boxing people can be."

The ten-team tournament provided some high standard entertainment for the fans with British Super Middleweight champion Paul Smith's 'Pickpockets' from Liverpool beating the TKO gym team that included star guest Ricky Hatton in the final.

A social get-together including a sale of boxing memorabilia, auctioned by pro referee Bob Williams, followed the football.

There are already plans to continue the charity fund raising tournament as an annual event - moving on to different venues around the UK.

"With the support we have had from all over the country we plan to stage the charity match in Liverpool 2011, and then take it to Ireland and Scotland in the following years," said the TKO gym chief.