A YORK man whose parents were diagnosed with skin cancer at the same time as each other has taken part in a charity boxing event.

Michael Smith, 30, said the double diagnosis of his parents Tony and Julie inspired him to take part in the Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) event at York Barbican in aid of Cancer Research last weekend.

He went through eight weeks training to take part in what has been described as one of the best fights of the evening, in front of hundreds of people.

Michael, the creative lead at New Moon Games which is based at York Science Park, said: “My dad took my mum to see the doctor because of a suspicious mark on her leg, but the doctor immediately spotted something of even more concern on his face. Mum was able to have the cancer in her leg removed within weeks, but my dad’s was another matter. If the doctor hadn’t spotted the cancer on his face he could have died within the year. Thanks to the NHS and cancer specialists they managed to remove cancerous tissue from his face and avoid permanent damage to the nerves, which was a risk.”

Michael is encouraging people to sign up for the next event, with training beginning in York on May 22.

Participants in York receive training at the Chokdee Martial Arts Academy, which provides professional boxing sessions for UWCB with former Muay Thai world champion Rich Cadden. Nationally, the boxing events have so far raised £8 million for the charity.

Michael said:“If anyone is thinking of taking part in the next season then I’d say just bite the bullet... You’ll think you can’t carry on sometimes, but you’ll surprise yourself.”

Emma Hallas, senior account executive for Cancer Research UK said: “While they’re out fighting in the ring our researchers are fighting cancer in the lab and working to find kinder treatments and a cure for this devastating disease.”

For more, visit www.ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk