Councillor to fight to raise funds for charity
A Tory councillor who is stepping into the boxing ring for the first time will fight out of the red corner after his Labour colleagues raised cash to sponsor him.
Lichfield District Councillor Doug Pullen, 35, agreed to put rivalries aside and fight out of the “Labour red” corner to raise funds in the charity bout for Cancer Research UK.
The sales executive said: "I'm a Conservative councillor but I have had a lot of support from loads of Labour councillors.
"I said if Labour raised £100 I would box out of the red corner, which of course they have duly done.
"Some Labour councillors are coming on the evening probably to watch me get beaten up in the ring and some Conservatives to show some support.
"I will have so many debates with people who are in different political spheres than me, but when it comes down to raising money and beating cancer, everybody is absolutely on the same side."
Doug, of Cannock Road in Burntwood, signed up for the Ultra White Collar Boxing event to lose weight after Christmas.
And he has revealed that his training and exercise regime has also helped with the depression he was suffering before signing up.
Ultra White Collar Boxing offers participants eight weeks of free training before they take part in a showcase event in front of friends and family.
In return they have to sell 10 tickets for the event and agree to raise sponsorship money for Cancer Research UK.
Doug is training at Walsall Woods ABC gym and so far has managed to drop from 15st 4lbs to 14st.
The councillor, who represents the Hammerwich with Wall ward, has so far raised £450 for Cancer Research UK.
The charity is close to his heart because his 64-year-old mother Helen is currently undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer.
Doug said Helen, of Solihull, would be attending to support him in his bout which will take place at The Hub in Walsall College.
Anyone wishing to take part in Ultra White Collar Boxing can visit ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk
