Never having set foot in a boxing ring before, Kerry undertook a punishing 8-week training course with Pink Collar Boxing, which culminated in her taking part in a fight night at the KC stadium in Hull.
Setting herself a fundraising target of £300, Kerry went on to raise a magnificent total of £470, which won her a special award at her event for the most funds raised. Her donations have been allocated to SITraN to support the research teams there in their fight against MND and other neurodegenerative diseases. Not only are the research teams working towards finding a cure for MND, but they are also working to develop aids to help sufferers manage the effects of the disease, such as the “Sheffield Snood”, a customisable neck support.
Kerry had been a carer for Elizabeth Pick in the last years of her life, during which time they became very close. Kerry hated to see her suffer and spoke warmly of the way Elizabeth always tried to put a smile on her face and liked to have a joke and a laugh, despite having to cope with the cruel effects of such a devastating disease:
“Liz lost the ability to move and had to be hoisted and needed assistance with everything. Sometimes I'd just go round to give her a cup of tea and moan to her about my own life as she liked hearing about my work and home life. I told her everything. I assisted her with meals and peg feeding, and also with breathing masks with the support from Sheffield University.
Liz passed away a year ago now and I still think about her every day. Looking after her was a pleasure and she raised a wonderful family and would be proud of them all.”
Of her boxing event, Kerry said:
“On the night I lost my match by 2 points and it was a very tough fight. Me and the girl I was matched up with were both new to the whole experience and were very nervous. It was the hardest 6 minutes of my life and it was so hard to catch your breath in the ring but the whole experience was amazing and for such a good cause.
Myself and Bonita also won a trophy each for fight of the night which we were very proud of and it was a great end to the evening.
Each girl chose their own charity to raise money for and I won the champion trophy for most money raised which I know Liz would be proud of.”