Furness and South Lakeland Group Charity Boxing Evening

Furness and South Lakeland Group has held a Charity Boxing Evening for the last 40 years, with the only break being for COVID. In that time over £300,000 has been distributed to local charities, both Masonic and non-Masonic. The 2026 Furness and South Lakeland Group boxing event took place at the Cumbria Grand Hotel in January.

Pictured left: A young boxer sizes up the opposition. Pictured centre: Two young boxers. Pictured right: Whitby vs Lancaster boxers.

Principal guests were Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Chris Gray, Lancaster and District Group Chairman Chris Larder, along with regular attendees and great friends of the group, Tony Harrison, Phil Gunning, Keith Kemp and Dave Grainger.

The event was a huge success and saw boxers compete at the event from around the county as well as several neighbouring counties. Clubs, boxers, families and supporters had travelled from Manchester, Yorkshire, Carlisle and beyond.

Pictured from left to right, are: Andy Whittle, Tony Harrison, Paul Broadley, Chris Larder, Scott Devine, Ross Keenan, Dave Millard, Phil Renney, Barry Hadley, Bruce Dennett, Jim Corcoran, Dean Walters, Phil Gunning and Frank Umbers.

A demonstration from the Boxability team started the evening. Boxability is a boxing scheme for those with learning difficulties and physical disabilities, created by Youth Ability worker Les Mcleese and Barrow ABC head coach Jeff Moses. It was great to see first-hand where some of the money raised by the evening goes to and particularly how it supports charities that rely on the support.

Boxing this year consisted of 13 bouts which were of exceptional quality thanks to the boxers, coaches and officials. Along with the boxing was the usual raffle, tote and auction which were ably led by our excellent master of ceremonies for the evening, Richard Wilcock.

The total raised on the evening was over £12,000 which is a tremendous amount for a single event and surpasses the total of last year which is a great feat. The monies will be split between Masonic and non-Masonic local charities in due course. The group would welcome any requests for donations as soon as possible.

Pictured left: Barrow ABC boxer Lennon Curtis gets checked by the doctor. Pictured centre: Master of ceremonies Richard Wilcock. Pictured right: The referee proclaims victory.

Boxing Committee Chairman Dan Greaves paid tribute to the hard work of his committee, the boxing clubs who provide boxers for the event, the brethren who stewarded on the evening along with the brethren and gentlemen who gave so generously.