A Clapham woman is swapping the boardroom for the boxing ring to raise money in memory of her father, who died from a brain tumour.

Makenzie Ellis, 31, has begun eight weeks of intense training that will culminate in a charity fight night at Grade II-listed venue ‘Troxy’ on Commercial Road in Stepney.

"This is a cause close to my heart as I sadly lost my father to this horrible disease just a few years ago," Makenzie said.

"I have experienced first-hand the devastating effect brain tumours have, not only on the patient suffering but the family as a whole”.

Makenzie’s father Mark Ellis died from an aggressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumour in December 2015, not long after his 60th birthday. He left his wife Michelle, Makenzie her two younger sisters, Tayla and Kirby and her older, half-sister, Katie.

The personal assistant, who grew up in Western Australia, added: “We first realised something was wrong with Dad when he lost the ability to write. A scan revealed he had a grade 4 tumour, which couldn’t be cured.

“He saw a top brain surgeon in Sydney, who was able to operate to debulk the tumour and give him another six months. He also went on a clinical trial but ultimately, nothing could be done to save him and it was just so tragic.”

Wandsworth Times:

Makenzie moved from Australia to the UK with her fiancé in 2016, a year after her dad’s death. Before he died, he advised his daughter to travel and see the world.

In January she took part in a four-week introduction to boxing course and discovered she really enjoyed the sport. Taking on the White Collar Boxing training camp, however, is pushing Makenzie to her limits.

Makenzie, who works for executive search firm Skill Capital in Covent Garden, said: “I don’t know who I’ll be fighting yet but the pairings will be based on weight and skill. I recently had my first sparring session and it was tough – I got winded.

“I’ve got loads of support and people coming to watch me on the night, including my fiancé, who is really excited. I’m feeling nervous as the date approaches but it’s all for such a good cause and that will be my motivation on the night.”

The event ‘All of the Lights’, is set to take place on December 13.

To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Makenzie’s JustGiving page click here.