The Black Tie Charity Boxing Dinner – in Aid of Boxing Futures

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20 November 2020

Due to the huge success of our last Black Tie Charity Boxing Dinner, which saw almost 300 people attend and thousands raised for Charity, ThisWeekinFM is doing it all again in 2021.

With a champagne reception, four bouts of top class boxing and a three-course dinner, this event is not to be missed. An exclusive venue in Central London will provide the perfect environment to put your guests at ease with some exquisite cuisine and fine wine in impressive surroundings. All whilst remaining just feet away from the spectacular live action. Our full brochure for the 2021 event is out now, complete with details of the new setting and sponsor packages.
 

Charity Boxing Night Black Tie Dinner 2021 Brochure

In Aid of Boxing Futures
 

Sponsorship of this event will result in a large portion of the proceeds going to our chosen charities, which first includes Boxing Futures. Established in 2013 and becoming a registered charity in 2015, the idea for Boxing Futures was brought to life by Anthony York (pictured) and Andy Burley.

“We saw so many people falling through the cracks. The idea was to do something that is attractive to young people, but would also bring good results”.

– Anthony York

Founder, Boxing Futures

Speaking to Anthony about his reasons for starting up Boxing Futures, it’s clear to see the healing passion that he spreads through the community. Not a competitive boxing club, they use non-contact boxing training as therapy – prioritising mental wellbeing and physical health.

Anthony “wanted it to be innovative and different to what was out there already”. While working in the criminal justice system, it appeared that the traditional method of intervention wasn’t working for some people. He and his team regularly mentor ex offender through their organisation, to encourage positive mental health and cultivate a reduction in re-offences.

“We saw so many people falling through the cracks,” he said, noting that Boxing Futures was born out of frustration for social services that were too rigid. “The idea was to do something that is attractive to young people, but would also bring good results”.

In our article for International Men’s Day released earlier this week, we talked about the issues caused by defined gender roles. Boxing Futures aims to be as inclusive as possible in order to give all young people the benefit, and shed the stigma that boxing is only for peak physical males. “Boxing attracts people from all walks of life” he said, regardless of social class or body type.

Brothers and Sisters Through Boxing

The Brothers Through Boxing programme funded by the Movember Foundation and Sisters Through Boxing programme funded by the Coop Foundation are both six-month programmes are aimed at tackling loneliness and isolation, increasing positive social connections among our young people. 

“Our head coach is an ex pro fighter, so if he’s talking about [emotions and struggles], it gives them permission to talk about it too. Boxing gyms can seem to be very male dominated” he says, speaking of the toxic masculinity in some places that could put people off getting involved. “But if this big tough guy can talk about stress through relationships or becoming a parent, they in turn feel more confident to express themselves.”

Funds from the Black Tie Charity Boxing Dinner

The money raised for Boxing Futures at the TWinFM boxing event will help with the core processes that keep the charity running.

Pre-covid, direct fundraising for their boxing programs to help the community was possible – funding for everything that goes on behind the scenes, like marketing and general IT, is always more difficult.

Boxing Futures suspended their services at the start of Lockdown, but recognised the continuing opportunity to help their demographic. Anthony took front-line staff off furlough in July to run an outreach campaign, keeping social distancing while delivering training sessions and checking up on trainees, yet of course struggling with the effects of the pandemic themselves.

They gave computer tablets, boxing gloves, skipping ropes and pads to those in need, so they could connect to support online and train themselves. “We also offered our minibus out to the local authority to offer small groups work delivering food and assisting the community” said Anthony.

He is always proud of his team for their hard work – the first time the TWinFM Boxing event was held, Boxing Futures were able to offer a well earned table for their own charity workers as a reward. This year has been particularly tough and the staff have gone above and beyond for the vulnerable. He mentioned the gratitude he would feel if another organisation were able to make the gesture of sponsoring those employees to have seats at a table for the event in 2021.

Boxing Futures Partnerships

They have and continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders and partners, including Local authorities, The Princes Trust, Homelessness organisations, psychiatric hospitals,  Schools, Colleges, Probation Services, Youth Offending Teams, Young People’s Counselling Services, Youth Clubs, to name a few. Funders include Movember Foundation, Coop Foundation, DCMS, Children in Need, Community Foundations, and many others. 

Queensberry Promotions

The event is hosted in association with renowned Queensberry Promotions, which represents world-class fighters such as Tyson Fury (WBC, Ring & Lineal Heavyweight World Champion) and Daniel Dubois (British, Commonwealth, WBC Silver Heavyweight Champion).

For more information on our Black Tie Charity Boxing Dinner in 2021, supporting Boxing Futures, please see our event listing here.

Article written by Bailey Sparkes | Published 20 November 2020

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