November 2017
The annual NSW Police Boxing Gala Fight Night was held at North Sydney Leagues Club on Wednesday 29 November 2017. Each year, this event sees NSW Police Officers jump into the ring and don their gloves in support of our Police Family.
In 2017, Senior Sergeant Rob Lawson from the Central Coast Highway Patrol took on ex-Channel 7 Sports Reporter Jon Harker. This was Rob's fourth time in the ring in support of Police Legacy. Having already served 32 years in the police force Rob describes the fight night as a mirror to his duties as a serving police officer, stating, “As an officer you are running towards danger when everyone else is running away from it, and taking part in this boxing extravaganza is us running towards danger instead of running away from it.”
Rob describes the event as a two-way challenge. "The chances of a police officer losing their life while serving is a lot higher than the rest of the working community and here I am taking part in an event which is actually dangerous.” He highlights that while the event is a great way to raise funds it is also a great personal challenge that helps with mental health after dealing with tragedy. Competitors put in months of training, transforming their mind and body for this night. Rob states that while he continues to serve and is physically blessed he will continue stepping into the ring each year.
Celebrities included Gus Worland from Triple M Radio’s Grill team, Mark Bouris from Yellow Brick Road and former Channel 7 Sports Presenter Jon Harker, and the event raised more than $100,000 for NSW Police Legacy and PCYC.