Carrie joins Olympian Ryan in theboxing ring

The sailing star is just one of many sporting and business personalities participating in tonight’s (Thursday’s) White Collar Boxing event in Belfast’s Europa Hotel.

The event will see a number of sporting heroes take up the noble art to raise money for various charities.

Fighters have been preparing for the event for six weeks, with Marie Curie supporters Ryan, Carrie and Ballyclare woman Laura Barrett training twice weekly at Monkstown Boxing Club.

“I’ve really enjoyed the training programme as a sort of a cool-down after the Olympics; thankfully there haven’t been any injuries so far,” Ryan told the Times.

Helping with this year’s event is Whitehead woman Tracy Gilpin, who became familiar with the charity’s support services when her father passed away. “My father died of cancer in 2001 only eight days after he was diagnosed; at the time, the lady who looked after him in hospital was a Marie Curie nurse and she was just brilliant in helping me and my two brothers,” Tracy said.

To sponsor Ryan in his fundraising challenge, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Ryan-Seaton

“I’ve been fundraising since 2010 for Marie Curie and have taken part in the Belfast Marathon, Runher, and the Dublin Marathon last week, among others. I also took part in the White Collar Boxing event last year but this year I’m helping behind the scenes. We’ve got a group of runners called Tracy’s Angels and we’ve done a lot of fundraising together; a good few of them are involved in the boxing night.

“There are so many advantages to taking part; as well as raising money for a really good cause, there are also huge benefits physically and mentally. The training programme can be very hard work but a number of people have told me how it has helped them lose weight and deal with stress or depression.

“The fact that there are so many business as well as sports people taking part also mean that it’s a great opportunity to network; everyone gels together very well during the training sessions.

“This is the first time that Ryan has taken part and he’s looking for a post-Olympic challenge; I’m sure it’s all been quite a change for him.”