A courageous woman entered the boxing ring after only eight weeks of training to raise money for charity.

Katie Kennedy, 23, who grew up in South Oxhey, fought in the Ultra White Collar Boxing event on September 17.

She raised almost £500 for Cancer Research in the fight at Woodside Leisure Complex, after her grandads Jim Kennedy and Joe King died from lung and mouth cancer respectively. Two other family members and a close friend have also battled with the disease.

Miss Kennedy said: “If my granddads were alive I know they’d be there to support me, especially Jim who used to be a bare knuckle fist fighter and Navy boxing champion.

“He’d be in my corner telling me what to do. I was so excited on the day that my blood pressure was about 140 - I had to take a walk to calm down. But in the ring I felt confident and focused.”

Miss Kennedy, who had boxing lessons between the ages of eight and 12, took part in an eight-week, intensive training course ahead of the match.

She hopes to continue training and compete for the Olympic GB team.

Katie said: “I want to thank everyone who supported me, especially my girlfriend Chelsea Walsh. She was there in my corner helping me through.”

To donate to Katie’s cause, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/uwcb-katiekennedy1994192605