Wakefield boxer Charlotte pleased to raise awareness with student underwear fun run
Young Wakefield boxer Charlotte Armstrong has thrown herself into student life in her first year at Leeds Arts University and joined upwards of 300 others to take part in Yorkshire’s first Ballsy 5K event, which student boxing promoter Sal Wilder describes as ‘the biggest underwear fun run in Europe.’
The students made easy work of the five-kilometre circuit from Woodhouse Moor via the city centre and back with the vast majority sporting underpants supplied by MyOddballs for The OddBalls Foundation, which exists to promote awareness of testicular cancer, writes James Bovington.
A former student of Flanshaw Junior & Infants and Trinity Academy Cathedral, visual communications student Charlotte, 18, plans to box on Wilder’s second Leeds show of the year.
“I’d dabbled in boxing when I was younger and wanted to be fully involved in the Wilder event,” she said.
"I’ve enjoyed the boxing training at a gym in North Leeds and this fun run seemed a good way both to help the cause and improve my fitness in preparation for the bout.
"My mother has faced cancer so anything that promotes awareness is welcome and it’s positive that girls are helping the boys as many men have also raised funds for ladies’ cancer charities.”
Charlotte was accompanied by Leeds Beckett sports coaching student Finn who also wanted “to support the cause here in my home city” while sports science student Harry from Bradford explained that “everyone wants to have fun doing something a bit daring while supporting a great cause” with mate Lewis stating that “as a student you get roped in but why not?”
“Our partnership with Wilder Fight Night gets us into our target audience to raise awareness of the prevalence of testicular cancer amongst younger men,” stated Oddballs Foundation Chair of Trustees Stuart Ward.
“Staging fun events helps reduce any stigma around the illness.”
Charlotte is looking forward to plenty of family and friends from Wakefield supporting her at her bout.
Wilder Fight Night takes place at Stylus in the student union building at Leeds University on Saturday, December 6. Head to Wilder Fight Night Leeds on Fixr for tickets or via Instagram @wilderfightnightleeds.