Bang for your buck

PlaceMakers staff ready to take a hit (or two) for charity

PlaceMakers branches across the country are willing to take a hit in the pocket for their favourite local charities, but PlaceMakers Christchurch South’s Lisa Barber is willing to take a physical hit for her chosen charity when she steps into the ring at the ‘Battle of the Rebuild’.

The professional charity boxing event, held in Christchurch in September, features corporate contenders from businesses involved in the rebuild.

By day, the mild-mannered HR and H&S manager is not known for her boxing skills – in fact, she’d never worn boxing gloves before volunteering for the event.

“It’s not something I’d ever thought about doing – I’d never even stepped into a ring – but I recently had my first spar and I’m learning fast!” says Lisa. “Turns out that ‘oh my god, I’m so sorry’ after a right cross is not really what you say in the ring!”

In addition to the efforts they’re putting into training, each competitor is busy fundraising: in Lisa’s case, for Pillars.

“Pillars is a fantastic organisation that supports children, who have a parent or parents in prison,” says Lisa. “Children of prisoners are ten times more likely to end up in prison themselves. Pillars aims to keep that from happening by providing the support and services to help them cope with parental imprisonment.”

If you’re keen to support Lisa ‘The Demon’ Barber’s fundraising efforts, go to: www.givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/lisabarber.