On Monday, 36 people started training for the inaugural Portside Punch boxing extravaganza, being held in support of the Otago Community Hospice's project to build a Hospice House in Oamaru.
The facility will be the first of its kind in Oamaru, providing community-based specialist palliative care and support for local people who are dying, and their families.
Initiated by Sally-Ann Donnelly and Dan Keno, the event will be held in the Woolstore building at Oamaru Harbour on June 21.
Tourism Waitaki events co-ordinator Jan Kennedy said the idea of a charity boxing match had been discussed for several years, so it was exciting to see it come to fruition.
''It's going to be possibly the biggest event ever held in Oamaru, in terms of atmosphere - it's going to be an electric night,'' she said.
Sport Waitaki co-ordinator Kate Cartwright said all those who had started training for the event had personal reasons for being involved.
''It will be a challenging journey for many, yet no doubt an extremely rewarding one.''
Technical training will be offered to the boxers as well as fitness sessions by Victoria and Fekita Teu, Jae Omnet, Adam Halkett and Philippa Masoe, with support from the Waitaki Community Recreation Centre.
''We want to make sure it's done right, done well and for all the right reasons,'' Mrs Kennedy said.
After six weeks of training, the final 16 to 22 competitors will be chosen.
The 450 tickets available for the event will be sold exclusively in 10-person tables for $2500 each.
The black tie event would include a gourmet three-course dinner, live entertainment and non-stop boxing action, Mrs Kennedy said.
Tables will be released for general sale after May 9, once boxers are confirmed.
Plans for the Hospice House in Oamaru were still in the funding development stage, but it was hoped that Portside Punch would give it the boost it needed to get under way, Mrs Kennedy said.
The facility will contain offices for local community care co-ordinators, as well as a clinical/counselling room for patient consultations.
It may also include a seminar room for education workshops and community functions and a space for the Hospice Charity Shop to relocate to.
''The North Otago community is very much in need of such a facility and please be assured all proceeds raised will be for this project alone,'' Mrs Kennedy said.
''The cause is what it's all about.''
