Boxer Chris Billam-Smith is next knockout show from IAM Events

Boxing cruiserweight sensation – and Bournemouth hometown hero – Chris Billam-Smith is next to headline at an IAM Events show.

Following last month’s interview with seven-time world snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan at Lighthouse Poole, IAM Chris Billam-Smith will be held at Hilton Bournemouth on Friday April 14.

Guests will enjoy a welcome drink and two course meal, with entertainment, an auction and live, in-depth interview with ‘The Gentleman’.

Each guest will also briefly meet Chris and receive a professional souvenir photograph with him.

The charity partners are Dorset Children’s Foundation and the Steve Bernard Foundation.

Chris is ambassador for both.

The boxer’s recent ascension has not only put him on the boxing hot list, but also Bournemouth firmly on the map.

It follows the two fights in 2022 held at Bournemouth International Centre and televised live on Sky Sports.

Having previously secured massive wins over rivals Tommy McCarthy and Isaac Chamberlain, Chris completed a spectacular knockout in the fifth round of his contest with Armend Xhoxhaj in Bournemouth in December.

He is now eyeing a world title bout this year which he would like to have in his hometown, where his main fanbase is.

IAM Events Founder Ty Temel said: “This will be a very different show for me as Chris and I are great mates and I have already had the pleasure of grilling him for my podcast Off Script.

“This is probably the most exciting period in Chris’s career to-date and a perfect time for us to do an event like this with him.

“We want to use it as a fantastic opportunity to support the charities close to Chris’s heart, too.”

Melanie Campbell, Partner in IAM Events, added: “IAM Events was established by Ty in 2018 and it is mind-blowing to think how the company has evolved in that time.

“Headliners we have been lucky to have had so far include Jason Fox, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury (twice), Floyd Mayweather and Ronnie O’Sullivan.

“This event will be different, but I’m already buzzing about it.

“It was me that suggested we do this one.

“You know when the time is right for the right guest.

“There is such a buzz and appetite in this town for everything Chris does and real support for everything he has already achieved.

“We just want to have a special night to just pause and focus on him and celebrate his career so far.”

Tickets for IAM Chris Billam-Smith are available at i-amevents.com.

Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment, as seats are limited.

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Dorset elderly to get more support as tech company expands

Elderly and vulnerable people in Dorset will soon be able to access more cost-effective support.

Tech company Good Life Sorted is expanding into Bridport, Sherborne, Beaminster and Sturminster Newton.

Its service offers regular help and companionship to elderly people, by matching them with hand-picked, vetted, caring helpers from the local community.

The helpers provide a range of services, as well as companionship, including light cleaning and laundry, meal preparation and trips out for a reasonable hourly fee.

Good Life Sorted already operates across much of the South having provided more than 150,000 hours of help to clients since it launched in 2019.

Verity Batchelder, Co-Founder, said: “Our service is about company, respect and empowerment, as our customers want to remain in their homes and might just need a little company and day to day support – not personal or medical care.

“There is huge demand for our service.

“We are being approached by several councils across the UK and, at the same time, seeing a boom in enquiries from recently retired people and stay-at-home parents with time on their hands who want to become helpers.”

According to Age UK, more than two million people in England over the age of 75 live alone.

More than a million older people say they go for a month without speaking to a friend, family or neighbour.

Verity, pictured with Co-Founder Constantine Karampatsos, said: “Every month our wonderful helpers enable over a thousand customers to maintain their quality of life and independence at home.

“Spending an average of £155 per month for home help via Good Life Sorted can delay or avoid care costs that can amount to £3,000 per month.”

• goodlifesorted.com

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AJC Group and Abri complete £8m affordable housing scheme

An £8 million housing development of 21 two and three-bedroom homes has been officially opened at Hazelbury Bryan in North Dorset.

The brownfield redevelopment has transformed the almost two-acre site which was previously the Handley Cross depot and had lain derelict for eight years.

Planning permission was awarded to AJC Group for a collection of 13 open market homes and eight affordable dwellings.

However, the Poole-based housebuilder worked with housing provider Abri to deliver the Violet Cross scheme for 100 per cent affordable housing.

Designed by Morgan Carey architects, there are five two-bedroom homes and 16 three-bedroom houses.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety at Dorset Council, pictured cutting the ribbon with Cllr Pauline Batstone, said: “Homes in stunning rural locations like this often come at a premium, which is why it’s so rewarding to see these completed homes, which will help more people onto the housing ladder.”

Andrew Billany, Dorset Council’s Corporate Director of Housing, added: “We know that there is a great need for affordable housing in predominantly rural areas like Hazelbury Bryan.

“The new homes at Violet Cross are a vital contribution to help Hazelbury Bryan thrive as a place and as a community.”

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Get dirty at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s Muddy Dog Dash!

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care has launched its inaugural ‘Muddy Dog Dash’ event.

The charity is urging dog owners to come on board and register for what promises to be a brilliantly fun – and muddy – event.

The 2km and 4km ‘Muddy Dog Dash’, with housebuilder Barratt Homes as headline sponsor, is on Sunday March 26 at Upton Country Park.

Runners, joggers and walkers can tackle the fun obstacle course, with or without a dog.

Ruth Wright, pictured left, Area Fundraiser at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care, said: “The course comprises a picturesque but muddy route, which will take participants around the fields and woods at Upton Country Park.

“Along the course there will be various fun obstacles including ramps, muddy ditches, tyre runs, weave polls, ball pits, hurdles, wooden dog houses, tunnels and more.

“These are being kindly made thanks to The Old Boy’s Club, a local men’s club who run a fantastic upcycling workshop.

“The first 100 sign-ups will receive a free Muddy Dog Dash t-shirt.

“Every dog taking part will also receive a rosette, bandana, certificate and doggy goody bag.

“We will also be rewarding each of the dogs who are deemed to be ‘Muddiest Dog’, ‘Best dressed/Fancy dress’ and ‘Top Dog Fundraiser’ with a Polygon Pets dog wash voucher.”

Registration opens at 10am, and runners will set off in waves from 10.30am.

Full details at lewis-manning.org.uk/muddy-dog-dash.