A former semi-professional footballer whose wife died from breast cancer has been honoured with a sporting award after raising thousands of pounds for charity in her memory.

Steve Walker, 36, lost his ‘beautiful’ wife, Gemma, in June 2019 after a long battle with breast cancer.

The plasterer, who has a seven-year-old son, Owen, decided to take on a boxing challenge to raise money for the fight against cancer, and has now taken part in three Ultra White Collar Boxing events at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme, raising more than £5,500 for Cancer Research UK.

Steve Walker with his UWCB events award.
UWCB/Ultra White Collar Boxing *** Local Caption *** Submitted to us by Steven Walker
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Steve, of Beck Crescent, Mansfield, was named Inspiring Participant of the Year at the Ultra Awards, which are voted for by fellow competitors.

Each year thousands of people across the UK take part in activities organised by Ultra Events, including boxing, mixed martial arts, ballroom, comedy or darts, to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Steve, who was married to Gemma for eight years, said: “It means the world to me to win the award. My aim was to be the top fundraiser at every event I did and I managed to do that, so I was over the moon.

“I hope they use the money I raised to try and find some kind of cure.”

In 2016 doctors gave the couple the devastating news that Gemma had breast cancer, which had spread to other areas of her body and was terminal.

Steve Walker with wife, Gemma
UWCB/Ultra White Collar Boxing *** Local Caption *** Steve Walker
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Steve, who met his wife when they both worked for the same plastering firm and has played football for Forest Town FC, Clay Cross and FC05 Bilsthorpe, said: “Gemma getting cancer pushed the buttons for me to do the event. I was inspired by her strength and wanted to raise money for her.

“I had always liked the idea of getting into boxing — now I just wish I had done it much sooner in life.”

UWCB coaches beginners with eight-weeks of free professional training before a bout with an opponent.

Participants are trained at Sor Chang Kow Muay Thai Camp, in Mansfield, twice a week.

Those taking part are asked to sell tickets for the show and raise at least £50 for Cancer Research UK.

So far, Ultra Events – the company behind the event – has raised a staggering £20 million for Cancer Research UK.

The next Ultra event at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex is on 23rd March and training begins in the first week of February. Go to www.ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk/locations/mansfield to sign up to a future local event.