Saying “NO” to knives was the message and reason for a very special recent evening in Bournemouth. The Evening which boasted an impressive line up guest speakers, Big Joe Egan, former Heavyweight boxing champion and Mike Tyson’s former sparring partner, Scott Welch, former British and Commonwealth Heavyweight boxing champion and WBC Cares UK Chairman, professional boxer Chris Billam Smith and WBC Cares ambassador Marc Smith were all together for one night to take questions from a full house of captivated audience.
Also in attendance a number of local amateur boxers, the very inspiring athlete Kate Farley, a remarkable, very charming female boxer who has cerebral palsy, despite this absolutely does not let it get in her way, training very hard to learn the art of boxing.also Brett White of Poole ABC who was a key part to making the event possible with all his support and time he gave up for event planning.
The evening was a fantastic uplifting experience, lots of laughs as Joe Egan delivered some of his funny one liners and shared some great stories. There were some very emotional moments also as Joe talked of his very dear friend, recently a fatal victim of a brutal knife attack, each guest spoke of how they had been effected by the increasing problem on our streets of knives.
Marc Smith talked about the problems faced more locally in Bournemouth area and experiences he has encountered throughout his 25 years in the security industry, an industry that means being confronted with such situations far more than most in society,
It was a great privilege having Scott Welch along, the amazing work he does by way of the WBC Cares UK is remarkable, so it was great to have his input on the evening and extra special for boxing fans who were not expecting Scott to be in attendance.
The evening was all made possible thanks to the hospitality of Roxy’s Bistro Bar, who were very kind to hold the evening in their fine restaurant area.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and the guests speakers who gave up their time to talk about such an important cause, a lot of really constructive ideas were discussed on how to combat knife crime, naturally a very emotive subject and a battle that not be won any time soon, but we can make a difference, it will take time and it wont be easy but it can be done and lives can and must be saved.
