BBBofC Southern Region Chairman Mick Collier Launches ‘Harry Fund’ To Support Former Boxer Harry Senior
Following the editor’s letter in Boxing News on August 26th, highlighting the plight of former Southern Area Heavyweight champion Harry Senior, BBBofC Southern Area Chairman Mick Collier has instigated the ‘Harry Fund’ and is appealing to the boxing community for their support.
Harry Senior suffered a stroke on the 2nd December 2009, during a sparring session with Albert Sosnowski ahead of the Polish fighters European title fight with Paolo Vidoz, and subsequently required life saving surgery, at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Queen Square in London, where he had part of his skull was removed to allow his brain to swell, before starting the slow road to recovery at The Frank Cooksey Rehabilitation Unit at King’s College Hospital.
During his distinguished career Harry boxed for England in the amateurs and fought the best domestic fighters in the pro ranks, including Danny Williams for the Commonwealth title. Harry is also credited with helping Audley Harrison win gold at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
On announcing the ‘Harry Fund’ Mick Collier said, “I am saddened by Harry’s plight and want to get him some much needed financial support as quickly as possible.
Harry suffered this most unfortunate incident and as he is a former license holder I believe collectively we should do our best to support him, and his family, as they are suffering some financial hardship at this time.
It could be another two years before Harry can get back to a normal life and in that time he needs to be looked after
I have been in touch with the general secretary of the board regarding the BBBofC Benevolent Fund, which offers aid to boxers that have fallen on hard times. However any payment made from the fund can take a while to come through, and even then it’s not a large amount, and Harry and his family needs help now.
I’d also like to say that there are some good people out there that have been talking about putting together charity events or a benefit for him, which is I think is great, but again these things take weeks or months to organise and Harry needs the help now.
This is why we at the Southern Area decided to create the ‘Harry Fund’ and make this appeal for support.”
For further information or to make a donation please contact:
Mick Collier
Chairman BBBofC Southern Area Council
c/o M R Scaffolding Ltd
2 Wood’s Road
London SE15 2PX
Phone: 07973 182141
E.Mail: micky.collier@mrscaffolding.com
Donations for the ‘Harry Fund’ should be made out to the British Boxing Board of Control
