A SOUTH Essex amateur boxer aged 55, who was motivated to step into the ring in search of personal fitness, takes his quest to a new level this weekend with a competitive bout.

Jamie Hanson, who trains at Honey's Boxing in Rayleigh, will be fighting at a tournament at the Mayfair in Romford and at the same time is raising money for a cause close to his heart.

Jamie, from Rayleigh, is a pal of Thurrock dad Darren Garwood, whose son Jackson has often featured on the pages of Thurrock Nub News.

We first told the story of Jackson Garwood in February 2019 after Darren published the first of what has now become a series of illustrated children's stories featuring the imaginary superhero his son dreamed he might be.

Jackson was born with Krabbe Disease, an incurable rare genetic condition where the white matter of the nervous system degenerates. That leads to loss of developmental and motor skills. There can also be signs of blindness, paralysis, weight loss and unexplained fevers.

News of their son's illness, first spotted when he was nine-months old and diagnosed by doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital three months later, rocked the lives of Darren and his wife, Rebecca but they were determined to give their son the best life possible.

Ten years later he has surpassed medical opinion and continues to inspire all those who know him and his family.

That includes Jamie, who is hoping to help Jackson's family reach a new fundraising target to enable them to purchase a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and a new oxygen concentrator.

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Jamie says: "I started boxing in June 2024 which supported me in my fitness and weight loss program and progressed to me signing up to this boxing match with the support of my coach Joe Honey. 

Jackson and his family.

"Jackson's story is inspiring and with the love that he receives from his mum, dad and sisters is amazing and I am delighted to be able to help by taking part in the charity tournament.

"If you would like to support me, but more importantly Jackson, please donate on my fundraising page.

"The moral of Jackson's story which inspired the books is that though he may be limited during the day and evening in his dreams he can be anything he wants to be and hopefully bring inspiration to those parents who require superpowers on a daily basis.

"Whatever you can donate will be greatly received and all proceeds will go to Jackson and his care needs on a daily basis."