A MEMBER of Airedale Hospital's community stroke team is getting into training before stepping into the boxing ring in March to raise funds for rehabilitation and therapy equipment.

Assistant practitioner, Mandy Aston, will be taking part in the White Collar Boxing Challenge on March 16 at Blackburn Rovers FC to raise funds for Airedale Hospital and Community Charity.

Mandy said: “I have chosen to raise money for the charity because I think Airedale is an amazing hospital with the best staff. The community stroke team is incredible and I have never worked in such a dedicated, professional, and caring team. Our patients really do get the best therapy we can offer. We strive to be able to offer new, evidence-based technology to our patients.

“I have two family members who have been affected by strokes, so this cause is also very personal to me.”

Mandy will be training with Ultra White Collar Boxing for eight weeks before entering the boxing ring on ‘Fight Night,’ March 16 where she will box with one of the other members of the group at Blackburn Rovers FC.

She added: “I saw the White Collar Boxing Challenge and was instantly drawn to do it. Both of my sons box, so I thought by doing it myself they might start to understand what it’s like for me if they are the ones on the other side of the ropes."

Inspiring other women is also one of Mandy’s motivators for completing the challenge.

She said: “Completing this challenge is really important to me as I am a woman in my 50s and peri-menopausal, which can be really challenging. I know that many women are going through it along with me so as well as boxing for charity, I hope that I can inspire other women that age is but a number, that they are strong, and that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.”

Laura Hepworth, community fundraiser for the charity, said: “Mandy is so incredibly brave to be taking on such an intense challenge, all to raise money for our Community Stroke Team here at Airedale Hospital.

“Everyone at Airedale Hospital and Community Charity wishes her the best of luck, and we’re so grateful for her enthusiasm and support for our hospital.”

To support Mandy, go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Mandy-Aston1.

Find out more about the hospital charity at www.airedalecharity.org, or contact the charity office at anhsft.charity@nhs.net or by phone at 01535 294870.