Stars from the world of boxing, film and television are set to turn out in force to show their support for a special event featuring Down’s Syndrome boxer Danny Mardell Junior at the Chigwell Police Club, High Street, Chigwell, Essex on Saturday 14th May.
Amongst the boxing fraternity that will be attending the Danny Mardell Charity Fight Night, in aid of the Down’s Syndrome Association and Oak View Special Needs School in Loughton, are Dagenham’s Kevin and Vinny Mitchell, former Olympians Billy Joe Saunders and James DeGale as well as former star boxers turned boxing coaches Jimmy and Mark Tibbs. Actors Danny Dyer, Billy Murray and Martin Bellamy represent the world of entertainment along with comedian Ricky Grover, who is best know by his alter ego ‘Bulla’ on the comedy circuit.
This special evening forms part of the ongoing legacy of Danny Mardell Senior, who before his premature death in 2005, aged just 43, started The Danny’s Challenge White Collar Boxing Charity Events to raise awareness and funding for children with special needs.
Danny’s wife Carol along with her friends want Danny’s work to live on and continue to benefit children with Down’s Syndrome and other special needs hence the upcoming Danny Mardell Charity Fight Night.
On the night there will be three bouts of White Collar Boxing, and an extra special event where Danny Junior will proudly wear his Dad’s actual boxing wear and spar with his trainer Dominic ‘Jack’ Shepherd. The night will also include performances from top entertainers Martin Bellamy and Ricky ‘Bulla’ Groves.
Following a training session at the TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town Danny Mardell Junior briefly said, “I’ve had two fights, this’ll be the third. I’m looking forward to it. I’m in good shape and I’m ready to go.”
Top boxing coach Mark Tibbs expanded on young Danny’s statement by saying, “Danny’s fighting Jack Shepherd on the fourteenth of May in a three round competition.
We’ve done some work with Jack Shepherd, he’s all right Jack but we know his faults and Danny’s gonna do the business. They’ll be no hanging about, he’ll go upstairs, downstairs. He aint gonna go two rounds that Jack Shepherd.
Team Tibbs is gonna be in the corner so it can’t go wrong and Danny Mardell is gonna be the Guvnor that evening without a doubt.
It’s gonna be a fantastic evening, lots of celebrities are gonna be there, Danny Dyer, Billy Murray and a lot from the boxing world, James DeGale plus plenty of boys from the TKO Boxing Gym, Billy Joe Saunders, Kevin and Vinny Mitchell, we’re all turning up for a wonderful great evening and we hope to make this a yearly event which’ll be good.”
Former Olympic boxer Billy Joe Saunders then added, “Me and Danny’s going to be there, I’m going to be supporting Danny. I like doing things like this for charity, anything for charities.
I’ve got two little kids, but you don’t realise how lucky you are ‘til you’ve been around characters like Danny and James (Tibbs) and that. It’s a pleasure for me to attend really.”
Final word goes to Danny’s uncle, Paul Rees, who said, “The event is all about raising awareness on disabled children with Down’s Syndrome and it’s special needs. We’re just trying to make people aware that need our support and we’re going to do the best we can to raise some money to give them a good life, you know.”
The Danny Mardell Charity Fight Night, in aid of the Down’s Syndrome Association and Oak View Special Needs School in Loughton, takes place on Saturday 14th may 2011 at the Chigwell Police Club, High Road, Chigwell, Essex IG7 6BD.
Tickets for the event are £95 per person, which includes a drinks reception, a two course meal as well as free wine, beers and spirits served all evening.
Tickets are available by calling Carol Mardell on 07951 637063, Karen Lipka on 07956 254194 or Terry Sabini on 07973 469685
Tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person from the TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA
