16 Nov 2019

Death of organiser casts doubt on charity boxing match

4:16 pm on 16 November 2019

It's not yet clear whether a Hawke's Bay charity boxing fight will go ahead tonight, following the death of one of its organisers.

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Photo: 123rf

Pat O'Brien was one of two men killed when two cars collided on the Hawke's Bay Expressway yesterday afternoon.

He was instrumental in setting up Napier's annual Battle for Life fight, which was scheduled to take place tonight.

Flaxmere councillor Henare O'Keefe said Mr O'Brien did a lot for vulnerable people in the community.

"[He] worked with the good, the bad and the not so good really, all deciles, inmates, youth at risk, couples, you know crafted the body, soul and the mind if you can put it that way."

Mr O'Keefe said Pat O'Brien helped to raise thousands of dollars for charity over the years.