Wrestling event ‘Bodyslams the Cancer’ has raised £4,370 for Lincolnshire charities.
The Fight Factory Wrestling show was the 11th annual edition of the event, which has now reached an all-time fundraising total of £40,000.
Becca Loeve, the FFW co-owner, said: “Here we are in 2024, 11 shows later, and we’re just hopefully going from strength to strength.”
“We’re continuing to support Sophie’s Journey, that is a cause that is really close to my heart. They provide holidays for young ones that are going through cancer treatment, and building memories with their families, you can’t replace that.
“And, the Oncology United through United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity is something that I wanted to support, because I see the aftermath in the community.”
Loeve, who’s husband Hayden wrestled on the show under his ring-name Dutch, explained the personal backstory to the charity fundraiser.
She said: “In 2013, it was founded because Hayden’s mother had terminal breast cancer. And, we wanted to be able to put on an event, in a big enough hall, that she could sit at the back while she was going through her chemotherapy and watch him wrestle, because she had never seen him wrestle before. But, unfortunately, before that all came to fruition she passed away.
Money from the event, which took place at the One NK leisure centre in North Hykeham, will be split between the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust charity arm and Sophie’s Journey.
“To our family it means absolutely everything, the fact that we can continue with [Hayden’s] mum’s memory, my dad’s memory.” – Becca Loeve, FFW co-owner
The show featured a number of title bouts and a 30-person Rumble to close the show. Jack Laver, who wrestled in the main event Rumble, said it was an “honour” to feature on the show, after he and his family had a recent personal experience with cancer.
Speaking to The Linc, he said: “About a month ago, my mum passed away after a nine-year battle. When I was at college, she was given two weeks to live, and she lived all the way up ’til a month ago. She was a walking miracle.
“I’ve seen first-hand what cancer can do to people… so to be on a show like this is unreal, it’s a pleasure. To do this is a real honour, and I hope that the money raise does help some people.”
The money raised this year surpassed the £4,100 total that the 10th anniversary event managed in 2023.
Lincolnshire-based Sophie’s Journey took half of the money raised. It was set up in memory of founder Stacy Southwell’s daughter, who passed away from cancer.
The charity’s founder said: “These guys have supported us for quite some years now, and what they do is absolutely amazing, and it does make a difference to a small charity in Lincolnshire.
“Any money that is raised to Sophie’s Journey provides the free holidays for children with cancer.”