The gloves are off (actually on) for the annual Fire v Police tear up at Walton Street Club in Hull which takes place on Thursday 14 December.
In 2012 Glen Matsell and Lynden Young organised a charity boxing night involving firefighters from across the Fire Service. The night was organised to raise money for Dove House Hospice and MacMillan Cancer research and was dedicated to their colleague Mick Dunn who was terminally ill at the time.
The night was a tremendous success, sold out within days and raised thousands for charity. Glen and Lynden were not satisfied with a one off event and immediately set about organising another night for the following year. The boxing night has now become an annual event which takes place this year on 14 December at Walton Street Club when the Fire Service team take on their Humberside Police counterparts.
[Pictured are CFO Blacksell (red gloves), CC Lee Freeman (blue) with, left to right, firefighters Luke Berzins and Kris Illingworth and PCs Mark Bassindale and Adam Richardson. Picture credit: Hull Daily Mail]
Now known as the ‘Battle of the Badge’, ten firefighters will take on ten police officers to raise money for Cash For Kids, Dove House Hospice, Macmillan, Breast Cancer Care and Prostate Cancer UK. Glen is hoping to raise somewhere in the region of £10,000 this year for these worthy causes.
When the ‘big badge bosses’ met last week, neither were taking a backwards step! Humberside Police Chief Constable Lee Freeman is confident his ‘blues’ can prevail, whilst Chief Fire Officer Chris Blacksell is expecting a repeat victory following the ‘reds’ dominant performance in 2016.
Both teams can’t wait to step into the ring following months of training. Match-ups will be based on weight and height and should ensure some tight three round contests.
Doors open at 7pm with the first bout scheduled to start at 8pm.
Tickets cost £20 and are available by calling Glen Matsell on 07734 533051.
“Let’s get it on.”