Paula Gardner, Team Leader at our visitors centre at HMP Wayland, recently took on a ‘white collar’ boxing match to raise money for Ormiston Families and Leeway Domestic Violence & Abuse Services.
Paula overcame a chest infection in the week building up to the fight to earn a draw and raise over £400 in the process.
Having battled with low confidence and mental health challenges in recent years, she credited the experience with helping her rebuild self-belief. She said:
“It almost seems laughable now, to look back and think that I had been suffering such debilitating low confidence and poor mental health – but then I would say yes to the huge challenge of a white-collar match.”
Paula said the focus and accountability of training gave her a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth.
“I knew I needed something to focus on, to give me a goal and to encourage me to keep showing up at the gym, getting stronger and ignoring all my demons about self-doubt and not being good enough,” she said.
Bruce Leeke, Ormiston Families’ CEO, praised Paula’s bravery and commitment.
“Paula deserves huge recognition for having seen through this incredible personal challenge,” he said.
“She is so passionate about the work we do as a charity for families and young people, so we’re enormously grateful that she wanted to make us the beneficiary of the event itself.
“We’re glad to have such a determined and inspirational person among our team.”
A huge congratulations to Paula from everyone at Ormiston Families.