Fundraiser delivers knockout blow for charity

Champion fundraiser Mike Land is at taking up boxing to support Swindon charity Best Mates.

Mike, a branding expert who runs Nickel Design, last hit the headlines in November 2025 when he attempted to break the world record for a 24-hour van pull, raising more than £17,000 in the process.
Now he has signed up for the Road to Glory boxing programme, run by Swindon Martial Arts & Fitness Centre – an intensive ten-week programme for boxing beginners and novices, culminating in a fight night in front of a live audience.
Mike is raising funds for Best Mates, which provides practical, emotional, and financial support to individuals and families navigating personal hardship, mental health challenges, or life crises.
He said: “It’s always been something I wanted to do and now, in my mid-50s, I’m stepping into the ring and learning how to move, punch and defend myself, all while someone is trying to punch me back!
“But underneath the laughs and aching muscles there’s a serious reason for doing it. Best Mates is a charity I got to know through my good friend Jeff Tucker. 

"Hearing Jeff talk about his own story, the charity and the difference it makes to people and families when life gets incredibly tough made it an easy choice.”
In true boxing style, Mike also wants to adopt a name for himself – he’s toying with Mike ‘The Mayhem’ Land, or ‘The Stuntman’, or ‘Mr Selfie’, but is open to suggestions.
Mike is no stranger to fundraising, having bungee jumped, run marathons and half-marathons, staged a Strictly Come Dancing contest and even abseiled down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower, in aid of a number of different charities. 
Between last year’s van pull and Road to Glory training, Mike has taken part in the London to Brighton cycle ride and undertaken a 100-mile cycle with fellow business owners from Aspire networking.
The Road to Glory fight night will be staged on 14 November at MECA Swindon in Regent Circus.
Every ticket Mike sells will mean a £5 donation to Best Mates. Mike has also set up a JustGiving page for donations, at https://www.justgiving.com/page/mike-land-rtg