Anthony Joshua helps Shropshire charity fight cancer
Tonight Anthony Joshua prepares to defend his world boxing title in Cardiff – but before that he urged people to support a Shropshire cancer charity.
Joshua, who tonight takes on Frenchman Carlos Takam in the Welsh capital, hopes people will bid generously on a boxing glove he has signed which is being auctioned to raise money for the Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Support charity.
The autographed glove is the latest item to go under the hammer in a series of charity auctions organised by Telford boxing legend Richie Woodhall.
The glove goes under the hammer at Halls auctioneers in Shrewsbury on November 8, but people who are unable to make it on the day can still bid online or place a maximum bid with the auctioneer beforehand. To do this you need to register online at www.the-saleroom.com/halls before the auction begins.
IBF and WBA world heavyweight champion Joshua has been a loyal supporter of the charity auctions Richie has been holding over the past two years, which have raised nearly £2,500 for cancer charities in Shropshire. All proceeds from the latest sale will go to Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Support, which helps buy equipment for the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Richie, who held the WBC super-middleweight world title from 1998 to 1999, has known Joshua since he was an up-and-coming Olympic hopeful.
As technical advisor to the British Olympic boxing team, Richie started working with Joshua since 2010 and has watched his meteoric rise to the pinnacle of his sport.
He said Joshua was delighted to support his latest auction.
“I saw Josh training in Sheffield and told him about the Pink Ribbon charity and he said he would love to help,” said Richie.
He said that Joshua was a tremendously popular figure at the moment, and that the glove would be a highly-desirable addition for any collection.
Betty Jenkinson, a founding member of Pink Ribbon, said the proceeds from the sale would go towards a new £75,000 biopsy machine at the Princess Royal Hospital.
“We are so excited that Richie has decided to support us again, it means so much,” said the 77-year-old, who has twice been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Since it was formed in 1993, Pink Ribbon has raised £140,000 for breast cancer services at the hospital.
Richie has been holding regular auctions for cancer charities for the past two years, in tribute to his father Len who died after a long battle with prostate cancer in 2015.
All lots can be viewed the day before the auction, or from 9am onwards on the day.
Those unable to attend in person can leave place an absentee or commission bid with the auctioneer before the sale, indicating the maximum they are willing to pay and the auctioneer can then bid on their behalf.
It is also possible to bid live over the internet while the auction is taking place, allowing those who need to stay at home or at work to bid interactively while the auction is taking place.
To do this you need to register online at www.the-saleroom.com/halls before the auction begins.
