Ladies unite to raise awareness for domestic abuse

Lady Boxers are uniting for a special charity night to raise awareness for domestic abuse.

Sixteen ladies from various Stoke-on-Trent gyms are set to enter the boxing ring on Saturday 23 October, for eight separate bouts of three rounds each.

Each lady boxer has dedicated fund-raising pages for their chosen charities, whilst money from door entry on the night, will go towards New Era Domestic Abuse Service for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

The founders of Beast Mode Boxing – Melanie Houlton and Deb Mullock – are the main organisers behind the event and have themselves experienced domestic abuse.

Mel-Houlton-Deb-Mullock-Beast-Mode-Boxing — Mel Houlton (L) Deb Mullock (R)

“All of the ladies have been training really well for the last few months and we are really looking forward to the night,” Mel said.

“Ticket sales on the door will go towards New Era Domestic Abuse Service for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent – a charity which very close to mine and Deb’s hearts. We both have our own experiences and been survivors of domestic abuse and over the years we have used this to help others.”

Deb adds: “Boxing has helped both me and Mel in so many ways and because of our own experiences in life and boxing, we have been able to help so many ladies achieve their goals and also to overcome anxiety.”

Chantelle Thompson, New Era’s head of service, said: “Every day we see the devastating effect domestic abuse is having on the lives of local people of all ages and backgrounds, but particularly women.

“We welcome the way this event is highlighting the issue of domestic abuse, how to get help and getting people talking about what is too often a taboo subject. As well as raising valuable funds to support people affected by domestic abuse.”

Ladies-Beast-Mode-Boxing — Ladies at Beast Mode Boxing.

Lady boxers from gyms including Impact Community Gym, One Bomb Boxing Gym and Chris Edwards Community Gym as well as from Mel and Deb’s Beast Mode Boxing, which takes place at FAN Boxing Academy, in Burslem.

Mel adds: “All of the ladies have chosen some great charities who they want to also support and they have their own fund-raising pages.

“It’s been great to see all of the gyms coming together for this – a first ladies boxing charity night – we believe – to ever have been held in the area. The support has been amazing from everyone and we cannot thank all the people have helped us.

“A lot of Stoke-on-Trent businesses have also donated prizes for a raffle which will also be taking place on the night.”

The boxing night will be taking place at FAN Boxing Academy in Burslem, where Mel and Deb teach boxing classes each week to their 70 members.

Tickets for the Beast Mode Boxing Ladies Charity night are £5 and can be brought on the door and also by contacting Melanie on 07752634094. (The event starts at 7pm.)

Also follow Beast Mode Boxing on Facebook for updates.