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Former boxing official Ian John-Lewis to referee charity match in Casino Rooms Rochester to raise money for JP Family Forever

The family of a teenager who died after a year-long battle with a brain tumour are relaunching their charity named in his memory with a boxing event refereed by an icon of the sport.

Malling teen Jayden Powell was just 17 when he was diagnosed with cancer when he went for an eye test in 2017.

Jayden Powell who died aged 17 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour
Jayden Powell who died aged 17 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour

The former Aylesford School pupil, from West Malling, was flown to Germany for immunotherapy as at the time the procedure was not available on the NHS.

Despite initially responding well to treatment, Jayden's condition rapidly declined and on August 16, 2018, he died surrounded by his family – 14 days before his 18th birthday.

Jayden's family were able to travel to Germany for treatment after raising more than £300,000 and in 2019 they wanted to continue fundraising for others with their charity JP Family Forever.

Unfortunately, one year on, Covid hit and halted all progress but now they have decided to relaunch their efforts.

Jayden's dad, Stephen Powell, said: "Because we raised a lot of money we wanted to help other families because there's not really any other charity out there that do what we do.

Stephen and Hayley Powell. Picture: Stephen Powell
Stephen and Hayley Powell. Picture: Stephen Powell

"Our charity is about paying for holidays and trips away for the family.

"When a child passes away everything stops. At the time you're going 100mph but then everything just stops.

"So we do bereavement holidays for the brothers, sisters and the whole family as these people are affected as well."

JP Family Forever kicked off its renewed fundraising drive when a team ran a tough mudder race in Horsham on September 24.

It raised more than £5,000.

The JP Family Forever team that took on the tough mudder race in Horsham. Picture: Stephen Powell
The JP Family Forever team that took on the tough mudder race in Horsham. Picture: Stephen Powell

Steve said: "We're only just getting over it now.

"When I started running I thought 'what on earth have I signed up for?' But it was brilliant and we are going to sign up again next year.

"We're probably going to make it an annual thing."

Now Stephen and wife Hayley are looking ahead to Sunday when the charity is running a boxing event at the Casino rooms in Rochester, organised by Box-tec Promotions.

The company helps organise boxing events for others to help raise money and train budding boxers.

Boxing referee Ian John-Lewis will be officiating at the event. Picture: Phil Lee
Boxing referee Ian John-Lewis will be officiating at the event. Picture: Phil Lee

Among the star attractions will be Kent-based referee Ian John-Lewis, who has overseen top bouts involving the biggest names in boxing, including Anthony Joshua and Vitali Klitschko.

Hayley said: "They came to us about the boxing match and it gave us the kick we needed to relaunch the charity.

"They are organising it all and it will be a blue corner vs red and it will be a fully ticketed event.

"It's all really nice and will have a proper ring."

Jayden's brothers, 21-year-old Callum and 14-year-old Liam, have also signed up to compete in the event.

Jayden's brother Callum, 21, right, and Liam, 14. Picture: Stephen Powell
Jayden's brother Callum, 21, right, and Liam, 14. Picture: Stephen Powell

Callum has entered charity matches before but for Liam it will be his first time, having only started boxing at the end of July.

Hayley was nervous to start with about Liam competing.

She said: "It was his idea and I wasn't too happy about it as he is still quite young but he wanted to do it and it's for a good cause.

"He has never boxed before.

"He does his football and plays the drums and now he wants to carry this on too."

Donations to the charity are welcomed via its GoFundMe page or you can get in touch via its Facebook page.

The doors to the Casino Rooms will open at 3pm and tickets will cost £30 for standing and £45 for seating.

Tables can seat 11 people and will cost £55 per person.

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