Jockey George Buckell fighting for title belt and raising money for charity

Jockey George Buckell will be fighting for a title belt when he enters the boxing ring to raise money for the Frank Bruno Foundation in Newmarket on Saturday night.

After initially hoping to gain £350 in sponsorship, the 3lb claimer has raised nearly £1,000 on his Just Giving page for the bout, which it is hoped will heighten awareness of mental health issues.

Mental health is something that Buckell, who is attached to the Richard Spencer yard, knows something about after suffering with depression last year following the death of a cousin.

Buckell is appearing on the card at the Ark nightspot in Newmarket on Saturday

The 24-year-old will appear at a 'white collar' boxing event put on by former jockey Eddie Guest at the Ark nightspot on Newmarket High Street, where tickets are still available.

Buckell, who has previously fought successfully at such events, keeps in trim at Guest's gym at nearby Fordham and his match is one of 14 on the card.

After a year out, Buckell returned to race-riding last month and rode his first winner back on the Mick Appleby-trained Khaan at Southwell on May 28.

Guest said: "Fair play to George who will be fighting for a title belt sponsored by Rebel Racing and he's looked in good form in training.

"He's quite an experienced fighter and raising cash for the Frank Bruno foundation is a great initiative.

"Doors open at 6pm with the first fight slated for 7pm and there will be tickets available on the door, although the VIP tickets sold out straight away."The Frank Bruno foundation hopes to raise enough funds to open its own centre and aims to provide structured non-contact boxing sessions and wellbeing programmes to relieve the social, emotional and mental difficulties that adversely affects the mental health of adults and children.

Phil Cunningham, owner of Rebel Racing, said: "It's amazing what George has been through and we were happy to help.

"He was with Richard last year but it was only when he came back from Dubai in the spring that we found about what he'd been through.

"He's really got his head down and is training well I believe so good luck to him."

To sponsor George, visit his Just Giving page here