I stepped into the boxing ring for my dad who was diagnosed with cancer

A hairdresser from Blackpool has stepped far outside her comfort zone by entering the boxing ring in support of Prostate Cancer UK raising more than £1,500 for the charity while transforming her own physical and mental wellbeing along the way.

Samantha Matthews, 35, from North Shore, took part in an Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) event at the Village Hotel in Blackpool last November, eight weeks after beginning intensive training.

Her motivation was deeply personal: her father, Roy was diagnosed with stage three prostate cancer nearly three years ago.

Samantha said:“It was a real shock when my dad was diagnosed, and I found it very hard to accept. I’m incredibly close to him, he has always been my biggest supporter, so it was very upsetting.

“I wanted to do something to help, even if I couldn’t directly help my dad. His type of cancer is hereditary, so I wanted to raise awareness and funds to contribute to early diagnosis for other men.

“If I could help protect the men close to me, my brother, nephews, or even my own son, if they were ever diagnosed, that would mean everything to me. That’s why choosing Prostate Cancer UK was a no-brainer.”

Adding an unexpected twist, Samantha found herself competing against her best friend of 15 years, Tammy Stanbridge, who had also signed up for the challenge.

She said: “My best friend, Tammy Stanbridge, has also trained and competed previously in an Ultra White Collar match.

“She has always been the biggest advocate for Ultra, not only because it allows people to raise money for charity, but also because taking part helps improve physical and mental fitness.”

The pair trained together at Pure Impact Boxing Gym under coaches Danny Bole and Jack Pemberton supporting each other throughout the process before facing off on the night.

Over the eight-week training period, Samantha lost a stone in weight and discovered a new sense of confidence.

She said: “I’ve never felt better, physically or mentally. There’s a real spring in my step - my friends and family noticed it straight away.”

On fight night, Samantha was cheered on by family and friends who travelled from across the UK, including her father, who made the journey from Anglesey to watch her compete.

After a close and competitive bout, Samantha was announced the winner and later received a Golden Glove award for being the top fundraiser of the night.

She said:“I couldn’t be prouder of myself. It was proof that I could do anything, and to have my family there, especially my dad, was just so special and emotional. I’m so glad he got to see me fight.

“Stepping into the ring pushed me further than I ever thought possible and knowing it was all for such an important cause made every moment worth it.”

Participants like Samantha are asked to raise at least £50 for their chosen charity - a target she comfortably surpassed, collecting around £1,065 for Prostate Cancer UK, earning a Golden Glove award for top fundraiser of the night.