Financial Services Fight Night raises ZAR330,00

Several hedge fund industry members took part in the second Financial Services Charity Fight Night and held at the Armoury Boxing Club in Cape Town recently, helping to raise just over R330,000 for two worthy causes.

A collaborative fundraiser between Macquarie Group and Investec staff volunteers, the proceeds went to the Cape Town Science Centre and Future Champs, a registered nonprofit organisation project that uses the power of sport, and specifically boxing, to engage youth and inspire positive change.

The event was preceded by months of rigorous fitness and boxing skills training, with the participants taking to the ring on February 28th in a lively, spirited atmosphere with a crowd of more than 450 colleagues, friends and family gathered to spur them on.

Steve Burke, founder of the Armoury Boxing Club and a financial services strategy consultant at PwC, says the event provided a great opportunity for financial industry professionals to do something both for themselves and for the community. He said it was very pleasing that the whole industry came together at the event.

"We love the Financial Services Fight Night,” he said. “It’s an amazing transformational journey for the contenders that culminates in a rite of passage. Each boxer's resolve was put to the test and they all came out stronger, as champions, every one of them. The support for the event was incredible (tickets sold out a week early) and we look forward to hosting the next one!”

Industry participants included Coronation, Citadel, Fairtree, Investec Bank, Investec Asset Management, KPMG, Macquarie, Private Client Holdings, PwC, Statestreet, Statpro, SunGard & Taquanta with individual bouts being generously sponsored.

Macquarie’s philanthropic arm, the Macquarie Group Foundation, matched 75 per cent of the total funds raised. “Education is a focus area for Macquarie’s philanthropic involvement in South Africa” says James Mason, Managing Director of Macquarie Securities South Africa. “Business has a significant role to play in supporting education and youth development and we are delighted to be able to support this great initiative.”