This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 10th, 2014at 10:47 am by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Wrestlers Fighting To Deliver A Body Slam To Cancer

A wrestler is hoping to be crowned champion at an event he has organised in memory of his mum who died from cancer earlier this year.

Dee Mansell never got to see her son Hayden Loeve fight in the ring and had planned to attend his Body Slam To Cancer event at Active Nation’s Yarborough Leisure Centre in Lincoln – but she sadly lost her fight to breast cancer before this could happen.

Despite grieving for his 54-year-old mum, Hayden, who is known as ‘Dutch’ in the wrestling ring was determined to continue with their plans and raise as much money as possible for cancer charities in her memory.

Dee was first diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer 4 years ago, despite getting the all-clear the cancer returned.

Hayden said: “We were already planning the event, but mum’s passing has inspired me and everyone involved to make it even bigger.

“She had never seen me fight in any of my shows – she had wanted to, but there was always something happening and then she was receiving treatment or was really ill.

“It was mum’s idea to book something in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She was going to be there as a guest of honour – but sadly she passed away in June. Her husband, twin sister and best friend will be there instead to hand out the Dee Mansell Memorial Trophy, I will be fighting and my brothers will be helping out. It’s a real family affair.

“My goal for the night is to win that trophy in my mum’s memory and hold it up! But there will be 20 to 30 guys all with the same goal – so anything can happen. The main thing is that we raise awareness and as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK and St Barnabas Lincolnshire Hospice.”

Hayden used to wrestle, but had to take a break due to injury. He returned to the ring 3 years ago and a year ago he launched Lincoln Fight Factory Wrestling Academy – a not for profit school to help others become wrestlers.

The event on October 10^th, has already received a lot of support from the wrestling world – both locally with students from the Academy and also from fighters across the country, some of whom are flying back from Portugal and other countries in Europe to compete at the Rumble competition.

The idea behind the Rumble is that 2 fighters enter the ring and fight, after 2 minutes and every 30 seconds after that another wrestler enters the ring. The trophy will be presented to the last fighter standing who hasn’t been thrown over the top rope of the ring and landed both feet on the floor.

Hayden added: “It’s great that so many people want to be involved and nobody is getting paid a wage, so as much money as possible will go to the charities. It promises to be a great night of competition in aid of a great cause. We have got both the Rumble match and other title fights too.

“This is an action packed night for all the family. As well as the wrestling, we will have raffles and lots of fun for the kids. Prizes will include electrical equipment from Know How, £750 worth of professional training and nutritional advice from Fight Specifix, an Active Nation membership and so much more.

“So please come down and help us to deliver a body slam to cancer!”

Body Slams To Cancer takes place at Yarborough Leisure Centre on October 10^th. Doors open at 6.30pm and the first bout is at 7pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £7 for OAPs and £5 for children. For a full line up, tickets and more information about the brilliant raffles, visit: http://www.lincswrestling.co.uk/events