The 31-year-old pulled on her boxing gloves for charity

A mother of three from Doncaster has stepped into the boxing ring to raise money and awareness for a heart disease charity after losing her own father to a heart attack at a tragically young age.

Sharee Hawrood, 31, who lives in Bentley took part in an Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) event at Doncaster Racecourse in March to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

Sharee’s decision to raise money for the charity and take part was inspired by her boxing-fan father Richard, who tragically passed away from a heart attack in October 2024 aged just 53.

Sharee said: “My Dad was my everything, and his passing made me realise that you never know when your last day will be, so you just have to live life to the full.

“He was a big boxing fan - he would have loved seeing me in the ring.

“And even more so, he’d have loved knowing I was doing this for him.”

Participants like Sharee are given the opportunity to take part in eight weeks of free professional boxing training at gyms, before a showcase event in front of hundreds or thousands of spectators.

Sharee trained at Doncaster Martial Arts Centre under the guidance of respected coach Dan Evans.

Talking about the preparation, Sharee said,: “The training was tough but so rewarding. I am into my fitness and have done exercise-led boxing routines before, but this took it to a different level.

“Especially once my trainer, Dan, felt we were ready to move to sparring and things got more intense towards the end as preparations ramped up for the big night.”

Sharee continued: “Before the first session, I was a bit nervous I would be the only woman, and while there were more men, it was great to see other females there too.

“We trained with the men, but our trainers ensured we were always comfortable and training within our capabilities.”

Sharee added: “One of the reasons I signed up was to meet new people, which I love to do.

“Part of me hoped that I wouldn’t be matched to compete against any of the ladies I trained with, as we became very friendly.”

Sharee chose ‘C’est La Vie’ by Stereophonics as her walk out music.

Competitors are also asked to choose a nickname - she chose ‘Mini Rico’ as Rico was her father’s nickname and due to their similarities, she was often referred to as ‘Mini Rico’.

Talking of his experience on the night, he added, “I was pretty nervous, but I was the fifth contest of the night, and as the bouts are fairly short, it meant there wasn’t too much waiting around.

“I am usually not the most confident person, but when it was time for my ring walk, it brought out a different side of me.

“As soon as I got in the ring, I couldn’t hear the crowd, I was just locked in on my competitor. I say that…I could still hear my mum, Linda. She was very enthusiastic and I think the loudest supporter in the crowd!”

On the night, Sharee narrowly lost a close contest by just two points. She explained: “It was really close - and because I was competing against my training partner who I really liked, I perhaps didn’t go as hard as I could have.

“She had a little spell where she got me in the corner, and the judges said that in the end, that was the difference.

“I don’t feel like I lost overall, as I gained so much from it and it was a brilliant experience. But it has made me consider doing it again and having one more go. I enjoyed it all so much and I’d love to get a win.”

Sharee was watched on the night by a large group including her siblings, other family, and friends. Participants like Sharee are asked to raise at least £50 for their chosen charity - a target he comfortably surpassed raising over £350 for the British Heart Foundation.

So far, Ultra Events has raised a staggering £44.5 million for charity, nearly half a million of which has been raised in Doncaster alone.

For anyone inspired by Sharee’s story to take part in Ultra White Collar Boxing, the next UWCB event in Doncaster takes place on Saturday 28 September.

More information can be found here: https://ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk/locations/doncaster/