Richie Woodhall ropes in Anthony Joshua to support Liam fund
Boxing fans have until tomorrow to get their bids in for a rare glass boxing glove signed by undisputed world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, which is being sold to raise money for Telford leukaemia patient Liam Finazzi.
It is the latest item to be auctioned by Telford former world boxing champion Richie Woodhall, who holds regular auctions for cancer charities in memory of his father Len.
The auction will be held at Halls in Bowmen Way, Shrewsbury, tomorrow, starting at 10am.
The life-size glass glove, which was specially made for Richie during a visit to the Bristol Blue glassworks in the city, is available for viewing, at the auction house until 4.30pm today, and then from 9am tomorrow.
He said it was a rare item which would be of great interest to collectors of sporting memorabilia.
Richie holds the auctions in memory of his father Len, who died in 2015 after a long battle with cancer.
He chose to support the fund for Liam after reading about his story in the Shropshire Star.
Liam, from Malinslee, was diagnosed with leukaemia in December just weeks after his fifth birthday.
At the moment he is being treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
A fundraising campaign was set up to help his family pay for expenses and for his parents to take time off work during his six-month treatment.
The family also needs help with the deposit to buy a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
So far, online fundraising for the family has raised over £4,000.
Liam's father Andrew said he was grateful that Richie had stepped in to help, and also to Joshua for lending his support to the effort.
"It's very kind of Richie to raise money towards Liam's fund," he said.
"Liam has unfortunately developed brain damage after contracting a virus whilst having a comprised immune system due to chemotherapy.
"The money will be very useful as we need a deposit for a wheelchair accessible vehicle so we are extreme grateful that Richie has thought of us."
Richie, who has known Joshua since he helped prepare him for the 2012 London Olympics, said the unified world title holder was only too happy to help.
"He was delighted to help, he said 'good luck with the auction and let me know how you get on'," says Richie.
Anyone unable to attend on the day, can ask the auctioneer to bid on their behalf up to an agreed limit. Call 01743 450700 to arrange this. Alternatively, it is possible to bid online by registering at the-saleroom.com/halls
