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DEBRA UK Fight Night 2024, hosted by Frank Warren, raises over £200,000!
We’re delighted to announce that our annual Fight Night event has raised over £200,000 to help BE the difference for EB, making it DEBRA’s most successful Fight Night in 16 years!
The event took place on Friday 22nd November, supported by legendary boxing manager and DEBRA UK Vice-President, Frank Warren in association with Queensberry Promotions. This was Frank’s 19th year of hosting the event for DEBRA UK.
Watch the video below for the action-packed highlights from the night!
The evening started with a champagne reception on arrival at The Brewery on Chiswell Street, London.
Once seated, guests were welcomed by Hugh Thompson, DEBRA UK Director of Fundraising, followed by DEBRA UK Vice-President and host for the evening, Frank Warren. DEBRA UK President, Simon Weston CBE, then took to the ring to introduce the evening, and encouraged guests to support our ‘BE the difference for EB’ appeal, aiming to fund life-changing treatments for all types of EB.
“I’m relevant to DEBRA because I’ve had the experience of going through dressing changes which take 5 hours a day. But at least there was light at the end of my tunnel. For these people that have EB, at this moment in time, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.” – Simon Weston CBE
Our host, Jim Rosenthal, then concluded the welcome speeches and invited guests to enjoy their evening and take part in the raffle.
Guests were then served a gourmet three-course dinner with wine, before 18-year-old Fazeel Irfan, who lives with recessive dystrophic EB, was interviewed at his table by Jim Rosenthal. Fazeel spoke about the challenges he faces living with EB and how he had come to the event straight from hospital, having spent the last few weeks being treated for an infection as a result of his EB:
“I’m in a lot of pain, I don’t really feel well at all, but I feel really good to be here today. The atmosphere is a lot better than it was in hospital, I can tell you that!” – Fazeel Irfan
Once guests had finished their main course, Frank Warren returned to the ring to introduce a film featuring Albi Ward, who lives with dystrophic EB. Albi is nearly one, and the film depicted his daily dressing changes as a newborn baby and was narrated by his dad, Calum Ward.
Frank then introduced Kate White, mother of Jamie White, eight years old, who also lives with EB. Kate spoke frankly about Jamie’s early life. When Jamie was born they were told he would not survive the night. She also spoke about the knock-on effects of his EB, in terms of the physical effects and how he has liver damage as a result of his EB, but also the mental effects on the rest of the family and his brother:
“I feel so helpless as a parent. There is nothing that I can do to help him. All I can do is give him is morphine and I can tell you that morphine is not enough. Morphine does not even touch the sides of the pain my son experiences.” – Kate White
The mic was then handed to Jonny Gould to present the live auction. Guests had the chance to bid for exclusive lots, generously donated by sponsors, including…
- DEBRA Loch Lomond Celebrity Golf Day on 28th April 2025 with an overnight stay for three people
- Two-night stay at the stunning 5* Anantara New York Palace Hotel Budapest with a river cruise
- A 30-minute spitfire flight for one person, a Bremont watch, an exclusive tour of the Bremont watchmaking facility for ten people and a Bennett Winch weekend bag
- ‘The Amalfi Coast’ by David Yarrow, one of the world’s best-selling photographers
- Seven-night stay in a ski chalet in the French Alps for up to eight adults
- Two season tickets for all UK based 2025 Queensberry Promotions events and Gypsy King Tyson Fury signed gloves
- Four-course dinner for twelve people at The Chef’s Table, The Dorchester, London
- Lunch for four people with Frank Warren at the Landmark Hotel, London
After the auction, guests enjoyed a night of action-packed professional live boxing, presented by Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions.
A big thank you to all our sponsors, auction donors and to everyone who has contributed to making this a great evening. Thank you for all your invaluable support for DEBRA UK.
Our event sponsors
A particular thank you to our gold and silver sponsors, Morelli Group, Stellantis and ECA.
Fight Night 2025
We hope to see you next year on Friday 14th November 2025 for our 20th anniversary of Fight Night at a new venue: London Hilton on Park Lane!