Wrexham Site Manager's Boxing Tribute Raises £11,800 for Vital Charities
A dedicated site manager from Rhostyllen, a town near Wrexham, has stepped into the boxing ring to raise an incredible £11,800 for mental health and cancer charities. This heartfelt effort comes in the wake of the tragic death of his 28-year-old nephew, Carl Robinson.
Honouring a Personal Loss Through Action
The remarkable efforts of Rhys Davies, aged 46, have been formally recognised after he received the prestigious 'Top Fundraiser of 2025' award from Ultra White Collar Boxing. This honour was bestowed upon him for raising more funds than any of the 17,000 competitors who participated in the organisation's events last year.
Rhys took part in an Ultra White Collar Boxing event at Chester Racecourse on November 16, fighting courageously in front of a crowd of 2,000 spectators. The funds he raised were designated for two profoundly important causes: the Mental Health Foundation and Cancer Research UK.
His decision to enter the ring was deeply personal and driven by significant loss. Last year, his 28-year-old nephew, Carl, passed away after a long and difficult struggle with mental health issues. Compounding this tragedy, over the past several years, multiple members of his family—including his sister, cousin, and grandparents—have been affected by cancer, making both causes exceptionally close to his heart.
Rhys shared his emotional motivation: "Losing my nephew turned my world completely upside down. He was only 28 and had so much life ahead of him. I was incredibly close to him, and stepping into the ring felt like something I absolutely had to do—not just to honour his memory, but to help raise awareness and vital funds so that other families might be spared the immense pain we have endured. Cancer has affected so many members of my family, and, much like mental health, it is an issue that touches all of us in some way."
He added, "Supporting cancer charities alongside mental health causes felt incredibly important to me because these are battles that countless families face every single day. If raising this money helps fund crucial research or provides essential support to someone when they need it most, then it means absolutely everything."
Rigorous Training and a Night to Remember
Participants like Rhys are offered the opportunity to undergo eight weeks of free professional boxing training at local gyms before competing in a showcase event in front of hundreds or even thousands of spectators. Rhys trained diligently at Russell Williams Kickboxing under the expert guidance of the highly respected coach, Russell Williams himself.
Reflecting on the challenging training regimen, Rhys said: "The training was tough—really tough—and I hadn't engaged in proper sport for a very long time. The eight weeks pushed me both physically and mentally, but the coaches were absolutely brilliant and incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. I also lost around a stone in weight by the end, felt fitter than I had in years, and it showed me that when you truly challenge yourself and commit to something, you are capable of far more than you might initially believe."
Discussing the night of the contest, Rhys recalled, "The whole day was somewhat of a blur. I felt a bit nervous ahead of the bout, but once I was walking out to the ring in front of everyone, it became quite an emotional experience and powerfully reminded me exactly why I was there. Once the bell went, it all went so quickly and felt as if it was over in the blink of an eye. But it was an incredible experience—something I will be proud of for the rest of my life."
Rhys chose 'Underdog' by Kasabian as his walk-out song, explaining that it perfectly encapsulated his mindset. Standing at 5'4", he has always embraced the 'underdog spirit,' and the track reflected his determination and resilience in the ring.
A Supportive Crowd and a Fair Fight
On the night of the contest, Rhys was supported by a group of ten people, including his siblings—Sian, Dewi, and Eilir—his partner, Helen, who has been his biggest supporter throughout the journey, and a few close friends.
Rhys competed against Gavin Davies, aged 45, in a closely contested match. He had trained closely with Gavin throughout the training programme, and the two had become good friends, making Rhys delighted to share the ring with him. Both contestants gave their all over the course of three intense rounds, and the contest was ultimately declared a draw.
Rhys described the aftermath: "After the fight, I needed a few minutes to myself to let it all sink in. It was exhausting but exhilarating, and I felt profoundly proud of what I had achieved: stepping into the ring, completing the challenge, and raising significant money for causes that matter so much to me. Looking back, it is an experience I will carry with me forever."
Exceeding Expectations and Earning Recognition
Participants like Rhys are asked to raise a minimum of £50 for their chosen charity—a target he exceeded spectacularly by raising a total of £11,800. This impressive sum included a significant £10,000 donation from his workplace, Williams Trailers.
Rhys's extraordinary efforts earned him coveted recognition at the Ultra White Collar Boxing annual awards, where he was named Top Fundraiser of 2025, standing out among more than 17,000 participants.
On receiving the award, Rhys said: "Receiving the Top Fundraiser award was an amazing feeling. I honestly never expected it, and it made me stop and think about all the incredible people who supported me along the way. Every donation, every message of encouragement—it all added up to something truly special. I am so proud to have raised money for causes close to my heart—for mental health, for cancer research, and for my family."
He concluded, "Looking back on the whole experience, from the intense training to the fight night and the fundraising, it has been genuinely life-changing. I have pushed myself in ways I never thought possible, raised money for causes that mean so much, and improved my wellness, both physically and mentally. I would encourage anyone who has ever thought about stepping into the ring to just go for it… You will not regret it."
A Legacy of Charitable Impact
To date, Ultra Events—the company behind the UWCB events—has raised a staggering £42 million for charity, with more than £400,000 of that total being raised specifically in Chester. For anyone inspired by Rhys's inspiring story to take part in Ultra White Collar Boxing, the next UWCB event in Chester is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 26.
