Event Review: Prince’s Trust Amateur Boxing Evening

By Rob Petersen, Managing Director

On Friday night the Mercure Holland House, Cardiff was the setting for a memorable evening of fine food, great company and amateur boxing. All profits from the evening will go towards Prince’s Trust Cymru helping young people throughout Wales.

Sponsored by Bute Property Services, over 200 diners and friends of the fighters enjoyed 11 well fought contests with prizes handed out some well known Cardiff celebrities including Bob Noster, ex British Lion and Wales rugby star, Nicky Piper ex British Heavyweight Champion and Lisa Rogers of BBC fame who was later auctioned off to the highest bidder for an evening meal at Basslegs Farmers’ Daughter restaurant, whose owner John Newbery kindly donated the meal and undertook the auction. Lisa quickly became quite a star amongst the male audience who enjoyed her banter and comments immensely!!!

Star of the evening was Nathan Cleverly, unbeaten Gwent Boxing champion, who turned up after a gruelling training

Luke Petersen Nathan Cleverly, Rob Petersen

session in the gym. Fortunately, my son, Luke, and I managed to get a photo with Nathan to complete our evening! We wish him well in his forthcoming world championship title fight with German Juergen Braehmer for the WBO light heavy-weight crown of Wembley Arena on 2^nd April 2011. He is in great shape and The Prince’s Trust was extremely appreciative of his presence.

The evening was compered by ex Cardiff/ Wales international, Rhys Williams who did a grand job, introducing events and keeping the audience calm especially when one of the supporters felt that a judge’s decision was incorrect and proceeded to take it out on supporters of the winning boxer. Nevertheless, it brought some added excitement to an action packed evening!!

Dave Sexton and his team at St. Joseph’s Boxing Club, Newport, were responsible for setting up the ring, arranging referees and officials and did a fine job. Dave also undertook the match making which resulted in some very close majority decisions!!!

Organised by Jessica and Tracy of the Prince’s Trust and supported by volunteers Brian Guy and Rob Davies, this event is the first run by the Prince’s Trust Cymru Development Group of which I am proud to be a member. We plan on hosting further events throughout the year so watch this space for news…

An Evening to Remember…

by Rob Petersen, Managing Director

 

 

I attended the annual Prince’s Trust Celebrate Success awards in the Coal Exchange in Cardiff last night.

What a humbling and yet inspiring experience to hear the stories of so many young people in Wales who have achieved so much against all the odds!  The atmosphere was amazing and you could feel the warmth and support for these young heroes throughout the whole evening.

 

One particular story that caught my attention was that of Mark Marsham, a young gentleman with a background in alcohol abuse and assault who finally found solace in a martial arts group which had previously received a Community Cash award from the Prince’s Trust. Obviously this group was just what young Mark needed, something to throw his body and soul into – something to distract him from the traumas of a disadvantaged background. And it seems that’s exactly what Mark did, never returning to that dark place and instead celebrating his success by winning medals and supporting the club. With new found fitness and an eagerness to succeed, he soon got a full time job and has now followed his brothers footsteps in begin accepted to join the 3^rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment.  I was lucky enough to meet Mark’s proud father who couldn’t have been more grateful to the Prince’s Trust for turning his son’s life around.

Mark was just one of the inspirational young people who has been helped by the Prince’s Trust, and received great recognition for his achievements at last night’s event. It was great to see the support for the Trust in Wales with personalities such as Xavier Rush and Lucy and Rhodri Owen presenting the awards to the deserving winners (I think I even saw new England cap Joy Bothroyd in the audience!).

Even with celebrity spotting aside, I would definitely recommend that anyone who is given the chance to attend next year’s event would do so! As a member of the development Committee of the Trust in Wales it really was super to meet some of the young people, hear their stories and how much they appreciate the help and support given by the Trust. I look forward to next year’s event and hope that the Prince’s Trust, and the young people it supports, will keep up all their hard work in 2011.

 

If anyone wishes to support the Trust in Wales please visit their website or contact me.

 

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