Tireless fundraiser Nik Kalka has ended his brief boxing career as a winner both inside and outside the ring.
The security manager came out on top in his second and final bout, bringing the total raised for East Cheshire Hospice to more than £4,500.
That was from two white-collar fights in which his sole aim was to support the charity which cared for his late friend Sam Burt.
Nik failed to make it past the first round in November, but he bounced back four months later by knocking out his next opponent.
Nik said: “I had a huge amount of support in the first fight and lots of people came to watch me.
Nik Kalka celebrates his win.
“The fight didn’t go the way I wanted and that’s not how I wanted the story to end, so I thought I’d go back and have another go and raise a bit more money.
“I was really motivated because I knew there was a reason for it.
“I pushed myself as hard as I could because it was for a cause and in memory of Sam. I also wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.”
Nik trained solidly for eight weeks for each fight, with a break over Christmas.
“I’ve achieved what I wanted to do with these fights and completed this journey. It was only ever for the Hospice.
“I was never going to be a professional boxer. At 35, I’m too old and not good enough.
Nik Kalka powers his way to victory.
“I’d like to thank everyone who supported me and now it’s on to the next fundraising challenge.
“A lot of people wanted to see me get punched in the face and that’s what’s happened. But joking aside, I’ve raised a lot of money.
“My first opponent was a different standard, while the next fighter was someone I’d trained with.”
Sam, an IT technician at Fallibroome Academy, died in 2017, aged 27.
Nik said: “The Hospice gave Sam and his family the comfort, care, and dignity they needed, and this was my way of giving back
“The Hospice means the world to me. I’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible support for my fundraising. It genuinely made a huge difference.”
Back to all newsThank you so much for choosing to support East Cheshire Hospice. You may never know how much your gift means, but we know that it will make the world of difference to our patients and their families.
