When I was 2 years old I was diagnosed with Leukaemia. I was very poorly and became very weak. My daddy wanted me to get strong by playing as much as I could but there were no facilities anywhere for children like me with cancer. You see the very nature of our treatments means that we are susceptable to common illnesses which could be life threatening to us. During my illness my mummy and daddy struggled to find me an environment for me to play in safely and not expose me to unnecessary risks that could affect my health. As a result of this my mummy and daddy and their friend Phil have focused on providing a Play Barn dedicated to children with cancers like leukaemia so that we are able to have a clean and sterile environment in which to play and excercise in.
Gary Johnson, Target Fitness and Phillip Graham of PGSM, have set up The Play Barn Project to create a safe haven for children with different types of cancers to be able to play in a safe, sterile environment together. The very nature of their treatments means theyre more susceptible to common illnesses which could be life threatening to them, i.e. colds, coughs, flu, etc. This was initially inspired by, Gary and Leanne after their daughter Madison, now four, was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the young age of two. Throughout Madison's treatment, her parents have struggled to find such an environment for their daughter to play in safely and not expose her to unnecessary risks that could affect her health. As a result of this, Gary and Leanne have focused on providing a play barn dedicated to Children with Cancers, like Leukaemia, so that they are able to have a clean and sterile environment in which to play and socialise in. In order to fund this project, Gary Johnson of Target Fitness and Phillip Graham of (PGSM) have jointly been organizing a number of Charity events. Both Charity Boxing events sold out very quickly with over 600 people attending and supporting the cause. Overall, both events achieved a respectable outcome raising over £20,000's each! The events comprised a champagne reception for all guests, 8 unique bouts of excellent boxing from both ex-professional and amateur boxers and a sumptuous 3-course dinner. This was followed by an Auction and a disco that lasted until the early hours of the morning. Both events have been supported and attended by an infamous boxer; in May 3 times WBA Champion - Barry Mcguigan and in February Michael Watson - WBO Middleweight title holder whose career was ended prematurely in 1991 after a near fatal injury against Chris Eubank. Others in attendance included Stevenage Football club and a rising star in British boxing, Frank Buglioni. The Auction at both events boasted some fabulous prizes; from signed West Ham Shirts to F1 driver suits and Lennox Lewis signed gloves as well as FA and Champion cup final tickets! The owners of Tewinbury Farm, Debbie and Vaughan Williams also have a son, Sam, who was diagnosed with Leukaemia. He is now thankfully clear and the couple have been very supportive towards this cause and have provided a fabulous venue for these events to be held at. All the money raised from these Charity events goes towards the Play Barn that will hopefully be built at Tewinbury Farm, Hertfordshire.