Leamington boxer with personal connection to Myton Hospices named Volunteer Ambassador and Fundraiser for the charity
A Leamington-born professional boxer has joined Myton Hospices as a Volunteer Ambassador and Fundraiser.
Heavyweight boxer Lewis Williams, aged 26, has pledged his support to the charity as he continues his professional boxing career.
Williams, a gold medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, began his association with The Myton Hospices in 2023, when his late father, Bob, began receiving care from the charity's Home team.
The boxer has since set himself the ambitious goal of raising one million pounds for Myton throughout his career, which he is determined nothing will stop him from achieving.
He has also challenged himself to raise £20,000 over the next year, which could fund one month of specialist nursing care, titled '20 in 25.'
Williams aspires to raise the funds through a series of challenges and events.
The 26-year-old shared on the Myton site: "I am immensely proud to be a Myton Ambassador.
"From the moment Myton entered our lives, I knew that if I ever had a platform to promote their incredible work, it would be an honour to do so.
"My family and I were fortunate to experience the very best of what Myton offers our community, and if I can help more people access their support, then I have done something right", said Lewis.
In 2020, William's father, Bob, was diagnosed with a lung and heart condition, leading his health to deteriorate.
At the time, Williams was set to prepare by training for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with an upcoming tournament that could pave his way to the Olympics.
William's father's condition worsened in late 2023, leading the Myton at Home team to visit three times a day, caring for him in his home in his last month with the family.
Williams commented: "The Myton team were brilliant with dad and they couldn't have made it any easier for us or him at what was an incredibly difficult and emotional time, they provided real dignity and they have hearts of gold.
"The standard of care they showed my dad and us as our family was exemplary and nothing like any of us had experienced before.
"As an ex-nurse, my mum was especially grateful for their love and kindness.
"But what means the most is the time they gave us with dad.
"I was due to compete in a tournament when Myton got involved and luckily, one of the nurses had a boxing background and he knew what I was going through.
"He pulled me aside and told me that time was running out.
"He didn't tell me to miss the tournament, but he was honest about what was happening.
"So, I pulled out of the tournament and stayed at home with dad.
"My sister and I would do shifts sleeping beside him because we never wanted him to be alone."
Bob died in January 2024, aged 71, surrounded by his loved ones.
Williams commented: "It was a sad Christmas for us, but I am so glad I did it. If I had been away at that tournament, I would have missed him.
"As hard as it was going through it all, I know I would be in a far worse state if I had been elsewhere when he had gone. I'm just glad I got to spend that time with him.
"I was able to dedicate proper time to him because I knew it was precious and running out. Of course, it was horrible, but we spent it as best as we could, together.
"Boxing rules your life, you miss birthdays, weddings and funerals, training is everything.
"Whilst it was a hard decision in some ways to miss the Olympics, for me it was a no-brainer – I'll always have a career, but I will only get one dad.
"I owe my boxing journey to my dad, he was the one who took me out of Scouts and into the boxing gym, and he was an inspiration even when he was very ill."
Myton shared it is "honoured to have Lewis on board and look forward to seeing everything he achieves in and out of the ring!"
Ruth Freeman, CEO at The Myton Hospices, expressed her gratitude, stating: "We are deeply thankful to Lewis for his incredible support, especially at a time when raising vital funds and awareness is more crucial than ever. His commitment to helping Myton is truly inspiring.
"This year, we must raise over £12 million to continue delivering compassionate palliative and end-of-life care to people living with life-limiting illnesses in Coventry and Warwickshire.
"Lewis' ongoing support will undoubtedly make a meaningful difference to the patients and families who depend on our services, both now and in the future."
To donate to William's fundraiser, visit his JustGiving site here.
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