Charity boxing event to raise thousands for babies in intensive care at St Mary’s Hospital

Charity Boxing Night celebrates another year of supporting the newborn intensive care unit at St Mary’s Hospital Manchester with a lavish event at the Hilton Manchester, Deansgate.

Previously inexperienced amateur fighters undergo an intensive six week training programme, practising their jabs, uppercuts and sparring skills.

The black tie event hosted by TV and radio presenter Connor Phillips will bring together over 500 passionate boxing fans to celebrate another year of helping babies in intensive care from the Manchester area and across the UK.

The evening will take the format of lavish sit down meal with an MC, live performances and seven live bouts, as well as an awards presentation and a DJ set to keep everyone dancing into the early hours.

Charity Boxing Nights came about due to circumstances close to Ric Moylan’s heart. In 2015 his family suffered the loss of his niece Soffia Rose, just 12 days old.

“The care, attention, dignity and love given to my family from the wonderful doctors and nurses on the neonatal unit at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester is something I will never forget,” said Ric.

“Charity Boxing Nights was created to honour these amazing people, to show my appreciation and to raise some much needed money.”

The event has raised over £100,000 in just two years and attracts high-profile supporters such as boxing legend Frank Bruno and Coronation Street star Cath Tyldesley.

Proceeds from the night will go towards HFOV (high frequency oscillation ventilators) at St Mary’s Hospital which cost £35,000 each.

This is a highly specialised form of breathing support used for the sickest infants who do not respond to conventional forms of ventilation. Without this new equipment, the provision of HFOV is at best outdated and at worst unavailable.

The smaller footprint of the newer ventilators means that babies can be started on HFOV with less impact on the physical space around the incubator. It’s a more family-friendly environment, with reduced risk of workplace injury or incidents.

Last year’s raffle and live auction featured a long list of prizes including a luxury holiday, a week’s stay at a residential fitness bootcamp, a personal training session with former world champion boxer Scott Quigg, Manchester Arena tickets, signed pictures and sporting memorabilia, a Manchester restaurant experience bundle and more.

This year they are aiming to raise even more money.

The event takes place on Saturday 6th October 2018. For ticket details, or to enquire about taking part, please contact Jordan Walker on [email protected].