World champion boxer Evander Holyfield is teaming up with Carol Todd to promote a world without bullying.
Holyfield, a five-time world champion, will be appearing at a fundraising event at Fraserview Centre in Vancouver to support the Amanda Todd Legacy Fund this Monday, Jan. 28.
Todd, the mother of Port Coquitlam teen Amanda Todd who committed suicide in October after posting a heart-wrenching video about being bullied, will also be speaking at the event.
Publicity for the evening on Holyfield's website has a cheeky note, acknowledging the proceeds are "ear-marked" for the legacy fund in reference to Holyfield's notorious match with Mike Tyson in Las Vegas in 1997.
"Join me and Legacy Partners Group as we support Amanda Todd Legacy Foundation, a first in a series of other organizations we will be supporting. The message left by Amanda Todd has touched the lives of many and I would like to lend my voice to further this cause," Holyfield states on his website.
Todd said she was contacted by Holyfield's Legacy Partners Group about getting involved and helping to raise funds for her daughter's legacy fund. She is expected to meet him tonight, Friday, at an event supporting the Sage Foundation and is looking forward to getting to know the prominent boxer.
"I am pleased to have Evander Holyfield supporting Amanda's Legacy/Memorial fund and working towards making a difference with anti-bullying initiatives around the globe ,"she told the Tri-City News. "He is someone that people look up to with his different mindfulness of others."
Holyfield was the underdog in a 1997 fight against Mike Tyson, according to the bio on his website, but managed to win but not before Tyson chomped down on his ear and bit off a piece.
Holyfield continues to be active in sports and champions many important causes - the latest of which is to support "A World Without Bullying."
In addition to attending the fundraising dinner, a portion of sales from "Real Deal Grill" and "Real Deal BBQ Sauce" available at Save-On-Foods will help support a "World Without Bullying."
Several other groups and businesses are also getting behind the Amanda Todd Legacy Fund, which will raise money for anti-bullying education and for programs to help young people with mental health problems.
Mott Electric, of Burnaby, and 4th Utility Inc (Communication Solutions) of Port Coquitlam recently donated a combined total of $5000 to the Amanda Todd Legacy/Memorial fund, and Todd said the PoCo Walmart will be selling her pink bracelets for the next two weeks and also be selling stuffies with anti-bullying messages.
The doors open for the fundraiser at 6 p.m. Dinner is at 7 p.m. Fraserview Centre is located at 8240 Frsaer Street, Vancouver. More information is available here
Read the Amanda Todd Legacy blog here
