The Furness and South Lakeland Group has been running a charity boxing evening since 1986, in an unbroken run interrupted only by COVID. The event is open to Masons and non-Masons alike. Three local boxing clubs provide boxers for the bouts and in that time well over £300,000 has been raised.
These funds are distributed to Masonic and non-Masonic charities, with the emphasis very much on the community and community groups. Of special note this year was an upturn in applications from and donations to girls and ladies’ sections of already established clubs at Barrow Island Rugby Club, Swarthmoor Football Club and Barrow Cricket Club. The presentation evening was held at the Fairfield on in April where the funds raised from the evening are distributed to Masonic and non-Masonic good causes.
In his opening remarks, committee chairman Dan Greaves thanked those who had helped to make the boxing event such a great evening and expressed how much work goes into the organisation of the event. Dan paid particular thanks to the outgoing secretary Kieron Mullan, along with the new secretary Jason Priss and of course, the treasurer Graham Benson, who continues to support the event year on year with the same dedication and enthusiasm. Dan also thanked the boxing clubs, Boxability, the stewards and ladies, the doctor, first aiders and of course the hotel and guests for such a great and memorable evening.
Dan went on to pay his respects to Jim Scott who sadly passed away recently. Jim was previously secretary for the committee and continued to support the event as a steward. Jim was a great man and will be sadly missed. Dan also went on to express his sadness to hear of the passing of Doctor Mangal, who was the event doctor in the past. In recent years, the addition of the sound and lighting system has really helped to make the evening a truly great experience for all the guests and boxers alike. This is in no small part thanks to Paul Musgrave and his colleague Bryn.
This year’s charity pot amounted to over £11,000, shared between 24 Masonic and non-Masonic charities. The charities and good causes receiving donations this year were: Barrow Amateur Boxing Club, Furness Catholic Amateur Boxing Club, Kendal Amateur Boxing Club, Coniston Mountain Rescue, Cumbria Deaf Association, Duddon Inshore Rescue, Greengate Junior School, Ramsden Infants School, Dalton Leisure Centre, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Dalton, Askam and Ireleth Parish Church, Grizebeck Community Hall, Defibrillator for Dalton, George Hastwell School, Youthability, West Lancashire Bowling Society, Barrow Island Girls Rugby, Furness First Aiders, Hawkshead Luncheon Club, Women Matters, Swarthmoor Girls Football Club, Salvation Army, North Scale Community Centre, Barrow Cricket Club and Vickerstown School. After the formal presentations had taken place, attendees enjoyed a buffet supper provided by Fiesta Catering.