High Peak kickboxer gets ready to fight for dementia

James, who is the deputy standard bearer for the Hayfield branch of The Royal British Legion, is taking on the White Collar Fighter Challenge Kickboxing Experience on Saturday in Manchester.

The 44-year-old said: “This is a cause close to my heart as I lost both my grandparents to dementia, and my partner Louise lost her grandmother to it as well.

“It’s a horrible disease where people are imprisoned in their own brain and not enough people want to talk about it.”

James, who served in the Royal Engineers after leaving school, used to enjoy kickboxing but after a car accident doctors told him he would never get in the ring again.

However when he saw an advert for the eight-week training programme and fight night he decided it was time to get back in to shape.

His 27-year-old step-daughter, Hollie Waterhouse, has joined him on the journey and is raising money for Arthritis UK, whereas James has set himself a £500 target for the Alzheimer’s Society UK.

He added: “So if you know someone who has battled with dementia or Alzheimer’s, or is still struggling, help me to support victims and families affected by this cruel illness by donating to my charity as there is no cure and there are no survivors.”

To donate to James’ cause, search ‘James’s White Collar Fighter’ on Just Giving or TEXT JIVS73 and your amount to 70070. James, who is the deputy standard bearer for the Hayfield branch of The Royal British Legion, is taking on the White Collar Fighter Challenge Kickboxing Experience on Saturday in Manchester.

The 44-year-old said: “This is a cause close to my heart as I lost both my grandparents to dementia, and my partner Louise lost her grandmother to it as well.

“It’s a horrible disease where people are imprisoned in their own brain and not enough people want to talk about it.”

James, who served in the Royal Engineers after leaving school, used to enjoy kickboxing but after a car accident doctors told him he would never get in the ring again.

However when he saw an advert for the eight-week training programme and fight night he decided it was time to get back in to shape.

His 27-year-old step-daughter, Hollie Waterhouse, has joined him on the journey and is raising money for Arthritis UK, whereas James has set himself a £500 target for the Alzheimer’s Society UK.

He added: “So if you know someone who has battled with dementia or Alzheimer’s, or is still struggling, help me to support victims and families affected by this cruel illness by donating to my charity as there is no cure and there are no survivors.”

To donate to James’ cause, search ‘James’s White Collar Fighter’ on Just Giving or TEXT JIVS73 and your amount to 70070.