Son of Norwich woman murdered by abusive ex to take part in charity boxing match |
Reilly Williams was just 11 when his mother Kerri McAuley, 32, was killed following a brutal attack by Joe Storey at her home in Southalls Way, Norwich, in January 2017.
Kerri McAuley (Image: Supplied)
Reilly, now 20, and his brother Blake, 18, have grown up with fond memories of their mother - and the love and support of their family and friends.
Reilly (right) playing pool with his brother Blake (Image: Supplied)
But now Reilly is looking to help raise money for Leeway - a charity which supports victims of domestic abuse and their families - by getting into the boxing ring himself for a charity bout.
Reilly said: "I have never boxed before but thought I'd give it a shot to raise money for a great cause and victims of domestic abuse".
The data co-ordinator will be following in his younger sibling's footsteps when he steps into the ring in June after Blake helped raise £1,300 for the same charity in a fundraising boxing event in November last year.
Blake (right) following an earlier fundraiser in November last year (Image: Supplied)
Reilly said: "The reason I chose boxing was because my little brother Blake did exactly the same thing I am doing last year and I wanted to show the same support for the charity and the cause.
Police at the scene after Kerri McAuley was murdered (Image: Newsquest)
"My mother was a wonderful and caring person who strived to give us the best upbringing possible and instilling values in me and my brother that we will carry forward for life.
Kerri McAuley with her two boys (Image: Supplied)
"She was the life of the party and lit up any room she entered."
Reilly added: "She meant the world to us".
Kerri McAuley (Image: Supplied)
The fundraising boxing event takes place at Epic Studios in Magdalen Street, Norwich on June 20.
Epic Studios in Magdalen Street (Image: Newsquest)
To date Reilly, who lives in Norwich, has raised more than £600.
In a statement, Reilly's family - including Kerri's mother Lesley - have supported the efforts of Reilly and Blake in helping Leeway as they have done themselves.
Kerri McAuley (right) with her mother Lesley (Image: Supplied)
The statement said: "It has been more than nine years since we lost our beautiful Kerri to domestic violence.
"We miss her so much.
Kerri McAuley with her brother Rory (Image: Supplied)
"Her boys, with the support of the family, have grown into fine young men.
"Kerri would've been so proud of them, as we are.
"Reilly and Blake are now old enough to comprehend what happened.
"They both expressed a desire to raise awareness and help others by raising money for the local domestic violence charity Leeway.
Family and friends of Kerri McAuley at a previous fundraising event in 2019 (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)
"Children bereaved by acts of domestic violence are victims too and Reilly and Blake, with the continuous support of a caring and loving family, are moving forward and living the life Kerri would've wanted for them".
Following the fatal attack in 2017, this newspaper launched Kerri's Campaign.
The launch of Kerri's Campaign in 2017 (Image: Newsquest)
The campaign was supported by Kerri's family and helped raise more than £11,000 to kit out Leeway's new domestic violence safe house in memory of her.
Reilly and Blake's father Andrew added: "I know i speak for the whole family when I say that these lads have made their mum and all of us very proud.
"The young boys that went through such heartache and loss have become amazing young men and make us all proud on a daily basis.
"Blake was superb in his boxing match and his charity drive for Leeway and we know that Reilly will also perform with the same courage and fight that has helped him grow into the splendid young man we all know today."
Log onto https://givestar.io/gs/ultra-white-collar-boxing-fundraising-61923 to find out more or support the fundraiser.