Boxers from our emergency services will take to the ring to help raise vital funds for a four-year-old girl who suffers with a rare and aggressive cancer.

Jessica Whelan, who lives with her mum and dad in Oswaldtwistle, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma in September 2015. She has since undergone months of chemotherapy.

This Saturday, April 23 officers will go head to head with their colleagues from the fire, ambulance and prison service for a night of boxing at BAE in Salmesbury. Sixteen novice fighters will take to the ring after months of training in a bid to raise thousands of pounds to help improve the quality of life for Jessica.

PCSO Tom Archer, from Highercroft neighbourhood policing team, has helped to organise the event and is continuing with his fundraising efforts to support Jessica, of Stone Bridge Lane, and her family mum Nicki, dad Andy, and brother James, one.

He said: “I am privileged to have the chance to fundraise for a cause which is extremely close to my heart. I am also very thankful to friends, family and colleagues who have got involved to try and make a real difference for Jessica and her family.

“I felt that I had to challenge myself to support this cause so I suggested fundraising for Jessica with my colleague PC Liam Mahon and thankfully, with the full backing of Baz Higginson from Fit2xl gym, this event is now happening.

“Everyone who is competing in the event is totally committed and it’s great to have regular training sessions as a team. I am really looking forward to competing on the night and I know that this event will mean a lot to Jessica and her family.”

Boxer Baz Higginson, who runs Fit 2XL boxing gym in Lower Darwen, hopes this will be the first of many events which will see uniformed services fight it out to raise money for local charities.

He added: “When I found out about Jessica I had to doing something and it just seemed the right thing to do. I have done lots of work for local children and it has been a pleasure working with professional people.”

Little Jessica is no stranger to her local police officers after she was recently treated to already an access all areas tour of Burnley police station followed by a trip to see the police horses and dog unit.

To make a donation visit her Justgiving page. For further information contact PCSO Tom Archer on 01254 676908.