A young man will be taking part in his first boxing match to raise money for cancer research in his father’s memory.

Darren Coleman, 25, from Holborn Road, Plaistow has already taken part in a variety of events to raise money for cancer charity Macmillan Cancer following the death of his father Anthony from lung cancer on October 10 last year.

He was so impressed by the care his father received from Macmillan that he has a dedicated a large part of his life since then to raising cash for its work.

Now, Darren, a carpenter, will be taking part in a charity boxing match in Elephant and Castle on October 11. He also plans to run the New York marathon on November 3 and the Paris marathon on April 6 next year. He will be accompanied by his brother Paul Fairbrass, 32.

Although Darren has raised £8,000 for the cancer charity in the last year, he is hoping that figure will soon reach £20,000.

He is appealing for people and businesses to help him reach his goal.

Darren said: “I have been training six days a week with Paul Kavanagh from Elite Commando Fitness and Mark Tibbs from Trad TKO boxing gym in Canning Town in preparation for my first charity fight and big marathon in New York.

“It is tiring and draining but I’m doing it all fro my Dad and because of the work that Macmillan do.”

You can sponsor him at www.justgivining.com/Darren-Coleman88