The last dance: Boxing for sobriety.

My name is Deece McDonald, I am fighting for my journey and for those in the local community.

I have spent most of my life in the ring. Physically and mentally.

I am finally hanging up the boxing gloves on 19th December 2021.

I have set a goal to raise $10,000 over the next 6 weeks and raise awareness towards addiction, homelessness and mental health support.

Where will this money be going? Fred’s Place.

Who are Fred’s Place? Fred’s Place provides a basic needs drop-in service with showers, laundry facilities, staffed kitchen, internet and telephone, lounge area, inside and outside areas to socialise, and mailing facilities. For those experiencing homelessness, facing difficult circumstances, experiencing a crisis and so much more!

How did I find Fred’s Place?

Thanks to Gunnebah addiction retreat, helping me on my journey towards sobriety and realising I can help others, they introduced me to a man named Gregory Smith. When I met Gregory he told me about the many organisations that he is involved in, one of them being Fred’s place.

Boxing has saved my life more times than I can count over the years, I have been boxing competitively since I was 14 years old and training others since 2017.

I have also struggled with my mental health and substance use since I was 14 years old.

Boxing kept me out of serious trouble but it was enough to keep me sober. I tried many ways to “fix” myself but they were just quick fixes.

It wasn’t until I hit absolute rock bottom that I made the decision to “check-in” to Gunnebah addiction retreat in Northern NSW that I was able to finally work on my mental health and substance use and be rid of it forever. I only wanted to stay for 2 weeks absolutely no longer and was told that would not be an option, I thought to myself, "we will see"... fast forward a few weeks and I stayed for a total of 8 weeks and wish I could have stayed even longer but I knew I was ready to get back out and change my life and those around me. I have see what life is like living sober for the last two months and plan to remain in this mind frame forever!

I can finally see the light in life and now I want to give back to the two things that have saved me, boxing and sobriety. I have met some amazing people on this journey. One of those being a man named Gregory Smith. Gregory is an exemplary example of how sobriety can change your life forever! I met him when he was a guest speaker at Gunnebah and was in awe of how he has helped so many people he has come in contact with, After years of literally living in the forest he is a published author, a motivational speaker, has been seen on “Australian Story”, a university lecturer, has a dedicated youtube channel and supports MANY local charities particularly those of alcohol use and homelessness.

One of the foundations he supports for the local Tweed community is Fred’s Place, Fred's Place is a charity organisation aimed to help those suffering with homelessness. A case worker is available for people experiencing a crisis. The drop-in centre also provides in-house services including Psychological services, Legal Aid assistance, Drug and Alcohol worker, Liver Screening clinic and Centrelink support - all available on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Services are provided at no cost.

What better place for me to support!

Now to begin this next chapter in my new life I will be hanging up the boxing gloves with my last ever fight on the 19th December 2021, a Jamie Myer production show.

My minimum goal is to reach $10,000 by the 19th of December and donate this money directly to Fred’s Place to help those most in need.

You aren’t alone in this battle with trying to achieve sobriety and there are people willing to help you in every way they can, it is not weak to speak and work on yourself. Help me give to those who need it the most, every dollar counts!

To find out more about this amazing charity you will be supporting check out their youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0jdYUyS_bo