NWR show supports mental health awareness
September 19, 2019 | by Matt Halfpenny
Young boxers from clubs across the North West Region came together on Saturday (14th September) to raise £3,500, as well as awareness of the mental health and suicide issues affecting young people, at the third staging of the Macauley Moran Memorial Show.
Macauley was a promising young boxer that took his own life in 2014 at the age of 16, only months after winning a NWR title.
After successful Memorial Shows in 2015 and 2017, the decision was made to host an edition every two years in his name and the proceeds given to local mental health charities.
This year the event was held at St Kent’s Social Club, Fallowfield, Manchester, and it was again decided to support Manchester Mind, who provide mental health advice and support for 15 to 25-year-olds at their drop-in sessions or at their cafe.
With the help of Manchester boxing legend Anthony Crolla (pictured below), who was in attendance to present the trophies and choose the Bout of the Day, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the show, with 14 exciting bouts of boxing.
The Schools bout between Bridgewater Salford ABC’s Bernie Mongan and Maelor ABC’s Cory Jones (pictured top) was always going to be electric, with the pairing having boxed respectively at international level for England and Wales.
Jones took the bout for the Welsh club on a close points decision, but both boys impressed Crolla who awarded them with the Memorial Belts for Bout of the Day.
Another boxer to impress was St John’s ABC’s Tom Howley (pictured above), who was awarded Boxer of the Day after taking a split decision over Carlisle Villa’s Brian Barron in a 64kg Youth contest.
As well as raising money for the charities, it is hoped that the event raised awareness of mental health issues in young people and provided information of where they can go for help.
For more information on the work that Manchester Mind does in our region can be found on their website www.manchestermind.org or via the Mind national website www.mind.org.uk
All photos by Karen Priestley
