Mansfield boxing star in war memorial trek to raise money for Royal British Legion

Mansfield boxer Nico ‘Lightning’ Leivars took part in a 25-mile trek alongside a group of veterans touring the area’s war memorials to raise money for the Royal British Legion.
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The group of walkers, headed up by the 22-year-old and included sidecar World Champion Tom Birchall, began their mammoth trek at 8am, with the route visiting each of the area’s war memorials to pay tribute to Nottinghamshire’s fallen soldiers.

Setting off from the One Call Stadium, the group visited the Civic Centre memorial, followed by Pleasley Vale, Pleasley Mills, Mansfield Woodhouse, Church Warsop, Clipstone, Forest Town and Carr Bank before returning to the Stags ground seven hours later.

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Nico, who announced he was turning professional this year, was accompanied by around thirty walkers, many of them ex-veterans, as they paid their respects at each war memorial – with donations so far standing at almost £3,000.

Nico (centre) and fellow walkers en routeNico (centre) and fellow walkers en route
Nico (centre) and fellow walkers en route

Nico explains: “A lot of my friends who have supported me with my boxing over the years are ex-military, so I thought it was only right that I supported them in any way I can.

"The Royal British Legion gets a lot of support each November, so I wanted to do something in January too.”

Nico also wanted to highlight the memorials in the area and admitted he wasn’t aware he had so many in his hometown, deciding to track the route to include them, as well as laying a remembrance cross at each one, to pay his respects.

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"I wanted to raise money and awareness, so decided to do the walk that incorporated the war memorials to make sure people knew they were there too,” he continued.

The walk started and finished at the One Call Stadium.The walk started and finished at the One Call Stadium.
The walk started and finished at the One Call Stadium.

"I didn’t even know where a lot of them were myself, so I thought it was important to photograph and document each one.

"Our armed forces need more support, especially when they come out of the forces – they go through so much to keep us safe, it’s only right we give something back.

"I set £3,000 as a target and we have almost reached that, which is absolutely amazing – I’m so grateful to everyone who has donated.”

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If you wish to donate to Nico’s memorial walk fund, you can do so here.

The team at Clipstone War MemorialThe team at Clipstone War Memorial
The team at Clipstone War Memorial
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