Lesley Black will don boxing gloves and climb into the ring in Carlisle in just eight weeks’ time, as she sets out to raise money for the JMA Trust.
The 28-year-old said: “I’m just pushing myself to the limit, because I don’t want people to come and watch me and be disappointed.
“So I’m working hard.”
Lesley, who works as a mental health secretary in Penrith, took up Muay Thai combat six months ago with Dragon’s Gym in Carlisle.
Invited to take part in white collar boxing before, she turned down the chance.
It was attending a charity event in the memory of friend John Aitken of Annan that changed her mind.
Lesley said: “I went to the JMA Trust ball in November. And how amazing, what they do. The fundraising, and the amount of money they make.
“I thought I want to do something to raise money for such a good cause, and John was a friend, so I feel like I want to give something to his charity and raise as much as I can.”
Lesley is now one week into a flat-out eight week training programme which will prepare her for the debut bout.
Comparing her boxing training to the Muay Thai training to date, Lesley said: “It’s more intense. It’s very, very intense.
“You’ve got to have your diet right, and you have to have your head screwed on to get into it.”
Training in a group of 49 competitors, Lesley is on a punishing cardio-based regime of press-ups, sit-ups and jumping jacks along with sparring.
Lesley said: “Not one person is dry in there – everybody’s just a sweaty mess.”
With the benefit of one-to-one guidance from Christian Percival and Matty van Lierop, she added: “It’s tough – very, very tough- but it’s going to be worth it in the end, and all the hard work will pay off.
“I just want to raise as much money as I can.”
The ticketed boxing event takes place at The Swallow Hill Pub Hotel in Carlisle on Friday March 18, starting at about 7.30 pm.
To sponsor Lesley go to www.justgiving.com/Lesley-Black
