A RINGWOOD man is preparing to step into the boxing ring for the first time in memory of his “beloved” cousin, who died earlier this year.

Harry Edwards, 22, hopes his bout will raise money and awareness for Lives Not Knives, a charity that works to prevent knife crime, youth violence and anti-social behaviour in London.

He has already raised £275 towards his £1,000 target.

His cousin Luke Gray died in August aged 26 as a result of injuries he sustained outside a Royal British Legion club in Lymington on October 22, 2021.

Luke was with Max Maguire, who died that night at the age of 23, and Georgia Hole, who was also wounded during an “altercation.”

In April 2023, Draven Jewell, 22, was convicted of manslaughter and wounding Luke and Georgia at Winchester Crown Court.

He was jailed for 16 years for what the judge, Mrs Justice Cutts, described as a “terrifying 20-second burst of violence”.

Luke underwent several operations, suffered multiple infections and had his kidney removed during the course of his treatment.

He died in his sleep more than two-and-a-half years after the incident, despite the efforts of his mother, Sarah Roberts, to revive him.

Luke's family, who attended an inquest into his death, say it was caused by ischaemic heart disease, which was contributed to by the attack.

Click HERE to donate to Harry's fundraiser for Lives Not Knives 

Harry, who was a pallbearer at Luke's funeral, said: “Luke was a complete fighter.

“I have seen the horrendous impact on his mum and her twin sister, my mum – it has affected us all terribly.

“I am fighting to raise awareness of Lives Not Knives, in the hope that we can do one small thing to help stop the national epidemic of knife crime.”

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Sarah said: “I am tremendously proud of what Harry is doing not only for his cousin, but for all the sons and daughters out there that will be lost due to people carrying knives.

“It must stop. Harry has been training every day and is a real man. I wish everyone who thinks about carrying a knife would think twice.

“Be like Harry and save a life – leave it home or, better still, hand it in.”

Harry will box for the first time at an ultra-white collar boxing event at Bournemouth International Centre on November 16. This will see him take on an evenly matched opponent at a “glamourous event” in a regulated environment.

To support Harry, visit justgiving.com/page/harry-edwards-1727096022314