Dylan Brassington: Richie Woodhall holding auction for tragic Telford boxer, 21
Former world champion Richie Woodhall has stepped in to help raise funds for the funeral of tragic young Telford boxer Dylan Brassington by organising a charity auction in his memory.
A pair of shorts signed by undisputed world boxing champion Anthony Joshua, and a signed programme, will go under the hammer at Halls auctioneers in Shrewsbury on January 31.
Richie has raised thousands of pounds for cancer charities with his auctions of sporting memorabilia over the past two years.
But he was so moved by the story of 21-year-old Dylan, who he knew through Wellington Boxing Academy, that he has decided to dedicate his next auction to helping with his funeral costs.
Dylan died last week and an inquest opening into his death was postponed yesterday at Shrewsbury Coroner’s Court.
No details of his death have been released.
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So far – a combined total of more than £2,000 has been pledged to two crowdfunding pages in an attempt to pay for the cost of his funeral.
Richie, who is president of Wellington Boxing Academy, paid tribute to Dylan who he said had a great future ahead of himself.
“He was a very good boxer indeed,” said Richie.
“He was a really good fighter, and a terrific lad.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard about his death.”
Richie said the items, which will be sold as a single lot, would be a big draw for collectors of sporting memorabilia.
Dylan’s coach at Wellington Boxing Academy Mo Fiaz is also supporting the auction and has organised a boxing marathon at Wellington Boxing Club as boxers attempt to hit a punching bag for 24 hours straight.
He said Dylan was one of the first boxers to join the academy eight years ago, and his death had come as a total shock.
“He was a really nice lad, he was always friendly, and he was a very talented boxer,” said Mo.
“I can’t believe it, he was in the gym just over a couple of weeks ago, he said ‘I will see you after Christmas’.”
Dylan, a former pupil at Dawley C of E Primary and the Phoenix secondary school, had two siblings, Kieran Brassington, 18, and Louise Jones, 20. He died on January 2 and his funeral is set to take place on February 5.
A host of other fundraising events have already been organised. His old school Dawley C of E is organising a non-uniform day while five men are taking part in a body wax to raise money on Saturday. Meanwhile, local fundraising champion Ian Preece is taking on a colossal challenge of running up and down the Wrekin ten times.
The auction will be at Halls in Bowmen Way, Battlefield, Shrewsbury, on January 31, starting at 10am. The items can be viewed the day before, or on the day of the sale from 10am. People not able to attend in person can leave a maximum bid with the auctioneer by telephoning 01743 450700.
Alternatively, to bid online, please register at the-saleroom.com/halls before the start of the auction.
Anyone who would like to donate can find the page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/brittany-whelan or gofundme.com/boxingfordylanbrassington
