The night saw ten property professionals, with little or no previous boxing experience, from companies such as Oscar Knight, Area Square, Happy Tenant Company and Property Redress Scheme, enter the world of white-collar boxing to raise money for charity.
The event, originally set up in 2015 by founder of Landlord Action, Paul Shamplina, who has a personal passion for boxing, has been such a success, it is now an annual date in the property calendar.
Paul comments: “I appreciate the concept of property and boxing do not appear as natural fit for one another, but knowing what a competitive bunch property professionals are, I thought it would be a great opportunity to encourage some of those I have worked with over the years to join me in raising money for charity. I would also like to give a special mention to Patrick Branderick of Oscar Knight Estate Agents, who, on his mission to get fit, took part and lost over two stone in weight during training.”
To date, Rumble with the Agents has raised nearly £75,000 for local charities carefully selected by Mr Shamplina. Paul chose this year’s charity, Cherry Lodge Cancer Care, because less than 5% of their running costs are covered by NHS and local government grants, meaning they rely almost entirely on fundraising, volunteering and donations.
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care is an independent charity committed to improving the quality of life for people living with cancer, their carers, family and friends. The charity works alongside the clinical care of the NHS in an area centred on Barnet and covering much of North London and South Hertfordshire.
Sarah Armitage, Vice Chairman at Cherry Lodge Cancer Care commented: “Fabulous is the adjective to sum up 'Rumble with the Agents'. Having never been to a boxing event before, I was not sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised! The atmosphere in the room, packed with 260 guests and competitors, was electric, professional and fun. The evening ran like clockwork: weeks of training from the boxers coming to fruition. The generosity of the guests and sponsors, all from the world of property, raised £16,300 for Cherry Lodge Cancer Care. Thank you so much. This money will go towards our free services to provide support and information to our members who have been diagnosed with cancer”
As well as the boxing entertainment, guests enjoyed a sit down three-course meal followed by a raffle and charity auction, with signed sporting memorabilia including a signed Muhammad Ali framed picture, signed Tottenham Hotspur football shirt, a signed Anthony Joshua glove and a framed and signed photo of Ed Sheeran.
Eddie Hooker, CEO of Hamilton Fraser, the main sponsor of Rumble with the Agents, added: ‘We have been sponsoring this event since it started and it just keeps going from strength to strength. It is so important to support your local charities and it’s amazing that almost £75k has been raised so far for these much needed causes’.
Paul Shamplina is continuing his support of Cherry Lodge Cancer Care by putting himself in the ring on 22nd June at York Hall in Bethnal Green. If you would like to attend the event, call 07736 613518 or to sponsor Paul please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-summer-of-glove
Anyone wishing to participate in next year’s Rumble with the Agents can visit www.rumblewiththeagents.co.uk for more information.
