The gloves were off last night as 500 guests turned out to raise £192,000 for Norwood and the Philip Green Memorial Trust (PGMT), at the charities’ first joint Annual Boxing Dinner. The event, held at the Lancaster Hotel, featured three bouts of boxing in which contenders fought for the British Masters light heavyweight title. It also incorporated the first Construction Industry Award, won by Laing O’Rourke for Quality in Construction for One Hyde Park, and the Henry Cooper Award, which was presented to Patrick Mendy.
During the evening, guests enjoyed a drinks reception, three course meal, and entertainment from top-class comedian Ian Irving before they watched competitors battle it out from their ring side seats. Contestants Hayden Chick, Darren Corona and Sam Cozens came out fighting as champions of the night, with the latter claiming the title on stoppage during the final punch out.
The live sparring began as guests went up against each other to bid for a number of auction prizes, including a framed 1966 World Cup England shirt signed by the squad, a signed Lionel Messi football boot, tickets to the X-factor finals, a Henry Cooper boxing glove, and the chance to feature in an exclusive OK Magazine photo spread, which sold for an impressive £4,500.
Supporters of the evening weren’t pulling any punches as they were given the opportunity to bid for 64 items in a silent charity auction and to take part in the tote for a chance to win 25% of the pot. The event also featured a raffle, during which one lucky guest drove away with the first prize of a Kia Picanto car.
The dinner provided a fantastic opportunity for supporters to network while raising vital funds for Norwood, a leading UK charity which supports people with learning disabilities and children and families in need, and the PGMT which supports sick and disabled children all over the UK and overseas. Guests of the evening also included VIPs HRH Crown Prince Shwebomin of Burma, Air Marshal Philip Sturley, ex WBC world flyweight champion Charlie Magri, Fen Tiger British welterweight champion Dave Boy Green and South African rugby player Kobus Visagie,
Sandra Nagioff, Events & Challenges Co-ordinator at Norwood said: “I am delighted by the success of last night’s event and the staggering generosity of our guests. Through their support, we have been able to raise a huge sum for the countless vulnerable children who rely on the projects and services made possible by two incredible organisations, Norwood and the PGMT. I would like to thank our guests, who I’m sure all had a brilliant time, to all those who donated prizes for our raffle and auction, and to the rest of the Boxing Dinner Committee for making this event such a success.”
