Bands and boxers joining forces for a charity fun day at the Royal Oak in aid of former British Middleweight champion Mick Leahy

Nov 11 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

BANDS and boxers are joining forces at the Royal Oak this weekend for a charity fundraiser in aid of former British middleweight champion Mick Leahy.

Big names in the world of boxing – including Barry McGuigan, John Conteh, Shea Neary, John H Stracey and Cliff Field – will be at the Liscard pub on Sunday (November 15) for a day of music, auctions and games to raise money for nursing care for Leahy, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

Wirral bands and solo performers including Sugarshed, Hush, Mark Lacey, Lemon Echo, Tequila, Neil Cooper and the Gypsies are all playing.

There will also be a tug of war between the boxers and some brave volunteers, plus men’s leg waxing, sponsored head shaving and a charity auction featuring items signed by footballers Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Other boxers expected to attend on the day are Wally Swift, Paul Hodkinson, Crawford Ashley, Matt Legg, Joe Egan and Steve Collins.

Organiser Wendy Foote said: “All the bands are giving up half an hour or 40 minutes of their time to play on the day.

“The boxers are going to have photographs taken and they’ll be autographing them for people to buy on the day.

“We’ll have a tug of war against the boxers and wet sponges will be thrown at the staff!

“There will also be men’s leg waxing, which always goes down well.

“We’ve had donations from local shops and there are some really good prizes in our charity auction, including the signatures of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

“We’re hoping the boxers who are coming on the day will draw in a big crowd.”

The charity fun day starts at 11am and finishes at 1am.