A few months ago, Sheffield Hospitals Charity launched its ‘Lee Noble Appeal’ designed to fulfil the final wish of local boxer, Lee Noble. 

Lee, who passed away in March 2021 aged just 33, enjoyed a successful boxing career which saw him take on the likes of Billy Joe Saunders, Martin Murray and John Ryder. 

In 2014 Lee was diagnosed with leukaemia, and 5 years later in 2019, he was given a terminal brain cancer diagnosis. Throughout his treatment, underwent a number of trials for less painful bone drills in London and one of his last wishes was to be able to help others in his position by giving them access to such a drill right here in his South Yorkshire home. 

Sheffield Hospitals Charity launched the ‘Lee Noble Appeal’ to fulfil Lee’s wish and the charity worked with Lee’s family, as well as the Northern General Hospital, aiming to raise £6,000 - which will fund two years of the drills and help change the treatment of over 100 patients requiring biopsies. 

However, the charity is thrilled to announce that, thanks to the support of the local community and a number of stars from the boxing world, that target has already been smashed. 

The appeal has drawn support from boxing promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren – who both made significant donations – as well as boxing legends like Johnny Nelson, John Fury and Ryan Rhodes. 

Last month, Ryan Rhodes hosted an afternoon with John Fury to raise funds for the appeal. 

Linda Noble, mother of Lee, said: “It is absolutely wonderful to have reached the target so quickly and I know that Lee would be so proud to see the impact he had on so many lives and that his wishes will mean that so many people will receive the help that they need. 

“Lee was always a true fighter and he never forgot where he came from. Throughout his life and his career he always wanted to give something back and I am so pleased that we can do that for him. I want to say a huge thank you to everybody who has donated. 

“But this has given me the motivation to go even further and keep raising money in Lee’s memory to help more people.” 

Lee’s family are raising funds on Virgin Money. If you want to support this powerful cause, please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SomeoneSpecial/LeeNoble100 

Gareth Aston, Chief Executive Officer at Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: "From everybody at the charity – thank you for your support. Seeing the way that the local community and the boxing world has rallied round in support of Lee is absolutely tremendous and shows just what Lee means to so many people. 

“What Lee, his family and everyone who has donated has done is ensure that 100 people will receive the kind of treatment Lee wanted them to receive. But we are determined to keep raising money so that we can help more and more people. 

“So if you can give to the Lee Noble Appeal , please do. Together we can help to honour Lee’s final wish.”