A CONSTRUCTION worker is swapping bearings for boxing gloves as he raises money for a charity supporting his father.

Ross McCarthy, from Earls Colne, will be taking part in a charity boxing event raising money for Cancer Research UK.

The dad-of-two lives with wife, Emily, and children Charlie and Florence.

A construction site manager for Horizon Construction by day, Ross is embarking on an eight-week training course to prepare for the event.

Halstead Gazette: Ross is currently on an eight-week long training course preparing him for the eventRoss is currently on an eight-week long training course preparing him for the event (Image: N/A)

He said: “I had wanted to do it for a little. While I am a big boxing fan but have never done it before.

“My fitness is terrible, and like most people do around Christmas time I was feeling sluggish and slow.

“The whole event raises money for Cancer Research which is a charity close to my heart.

“My dad, Gary, has been battling cancer for more than 20 years.

“It started when I was a kid as skin cancer but progressed on to prostate cancer.

“The charity has done fantastic job with him so far and he is doing great, they check on him every three months.”

The 39-year-old is taking part in an eight-week training camp and is currently on week three.

Halstead Gazette: Ross has said his training has helped him both physically and mentallyRoss has said his training has helped him both physically and mentally (Image: N/A)

He said: “I am training twice a week at the SD Martial Arts Fitness Centre in Colchester and doing a personal session once a week with trainer Nathan Victorio who has been amazing.

“It is a large majority of cardio because the fitness you need to be a boxer is immense, I have never found anything this hard.

“We have done a lot of sparring and I am also running every day, the whole thing has really pulled me out a slump and improved my mental state too.”

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So far, Ross has raised about £1,500, starting only with a target of just £500.

He said: “My goal was reached within a week or so and I am so thankful.

“All the people I work with have been phenomenal, Horizon has really been superb.

“Everyone is affected by cancer and everyone has a story, people have family and friends battling it so they’re all keen to help raise money and help.”

The Ultra White Collar Boxing event is at ATIK Colchester on Saturday, March 25, starting at 4pm.

You can support Ross’ JustGiving page at bit.ly/3I6xp7b.