Richie auctioning Rio's ball and gloves to fight cancer
Richie Woodhall is hoping World Cup fever will help him deal a knock-out blow to cancer with his latest charity auction.
Telford's former world boxing champion has roped in ex-England captain turned boxer Rio Ferdinand to help with his latest fundraiser.
The ex-Manchester United star, who will be appearing as a television pundit during the World Cup in Russia this month, has signed a football and a boxing glove which Richie is auctioning to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The items will be sold together as a single lot at Halls auction house in Shrewsbury on July 4.
Richie has raised thousands of pounds for cancer charities in memory of his father Len since holding his first auction in 2015.
Len, who was well-known as a boxing coach in the Telford area, died from prostate cancer in July 2015 at the age of 75.
Richie said Ferdinand, who has supported his previous auctions, was right behind what he was doing having lost his wife Rebecca to cancer.
"It was very dear to his heart," he said.
"Rio will be all over the television during the World Cup, so hopefully that will help."
Richie said the charity, which provides specialist support and care for young people with cancer, was an excellent charity.
It sprang to prominence when 19-year-old Stephen Sutton from Burntwood, near Cannock, raised £3 million for the charity as he battled terminal cancer. A host of celebrities, including comics Jason Manford and Jimmy Carr, pledged their support to Stephen's fundraising effort.
The auction, at Halls in Bowmen Way, Battlefield, starts at 10am. The items are available for viewing the day before the auction, and on the morning itself.
If you are unable to bid in person, it is possible to bid online through the website the-saleroom.com/halls although you are advised to register in advance.
Alternatively, you can leave your maximum bid with the auctioneer by telephoning 01743 450700.
