Knockout! Anthony Joshua glove raises £550 for poorly Telford boy's appeal
A rare glass boxing glove signed by undisputed world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has raised £550 for a young leukaemia patient's appeal fund.
The Bristol Blue glove made £550 for an appeal to help Telford youngster Liam Finazzi, who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia in December, just weeks after his fifth birthday.
It is the biggest amount raised to date in a series of charity auctions organised by Telford former world boxing champion Richie Woodhall.
For the past 18 months Richie, who grew up on Telford's Woodside estate, has been holding regular auctions at Shrewsbury-based Halls to raise money for cancer charities in memory of his father Len.
Len, who was a well-known as a boxing coach, died in 2015 after an eight-year battle with prostate cancer.
Richie said he was thrilled with the result, which would make a big difference to the appeal to support Liam, who lives in the Malinslee area of Telford.
It will go towards the appeal to raise funds for a mobility car for Liam, who now needs to use a wheelchair.
He said Joshua, who added the WBA (Super) and IBO titles to the IBF title he already had with his 11th-round victory over Wladimir Klitschko last month, had taken a great interest in the appeal.
"I'm really pleased, it's a fantastic result," said Richie.
"I thought it would do well after Anthony won that big fight with Klitschko.
"Anthony had asked me how the auction went, and he was delighted when I told him the news.
"It's a really good cause, and I hope the publicity will encourage other people to support the appeal."
Richie has known unified world champion Joshua since he helped prepare him for the London Olympics in 2012.
The life-size glass glove had been specially made for Richie when he was invited on a tour of the famous Bristol Blue factory.
A fundraising ball has also been organised next month to raise money for Liam's appeal.
The event, organised by Emma Tipton, will be at Shropshire Golf Club in Muxton on June 10.
There will be a hog roast, DJ and raffle. Tickets are available from Emma on 07790 349342.
A Facebook page has been set up to share updates on Liam’s progress on facebook.com/Liam-Finazzi-My-Battle-Against-Burkitt-Leukemia-737124116446702
To donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LiamFinazziIWillBeatLeukmia
