A Norfolk care home resident has provided a knockout idea in an attempt to raise money for charity. 

Michael Harper, a resident at Thorp House care home in Griston, near Watton, is undertaking his second fundraising effort,  aiming to throw 10,000 boxing punches in a month, to support Ukrainian refugees.

The former postman who has irreversible liver damage was given four months to live when he moved into the Kingsley Healthcare home in 2020.

Dereham Times: Michael Harper, resident at Thorp House in Griston, is pushing his wheelchair around the garden to raise money for Ukraine with the help of wellbeing coordinator Marcia Hughes. Byline: Sonya Duncan

However, three years later, the 54-year-old, has embarked on his second fund-raising challenge, after he vowed to complete 100 laps of his nursing home garden in his wheelchair to raise money for Ukraine in March 2022.

He started his laps in aid of British-Ukrainian Aid, which is supporting people suffering from the war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

He managed to raise £470 after originally setting the goal at £100. 

Dereham Times: Michael Harper, resident at Thorp House in Griston, is pushing his wheelchair around the garden to raise money for Ukraine with the help of wellbeing coordinator Marcia Hughes. Byline: Sonya Duncan

For his second bout of fundraising, he has set himself a goal of £250. 

A boxer in his youth, he has been trained for the marathon by personal trainers Paul Booth, from Sanctuary Gym, in Dereham, and Megan Devalin, from Attleborough Boxing Club.

Mr Harper, who last summer raised close to £500 by completing the wheelchair marathon around the garden of the care home, said: “The staff at Thorp House saved my life on an emotional level and I am so grateful for the love and care I receive. I don't know how much time I have left but I would like to do good with the time I have been given.”

In just his first week, he has already reached nearly £100 for the charity British-Ukrainian Aid.

Mr Harper, who beat his alcohol addiction with the support of Thorp House staff, was spurred into fund-raising action after being shocked by images of war-torn Ukraine he had seen on the news.

Dereham Times: Michael Harper is undertaking his second fundraising effort, aiming to throw 10,000 boxing punches in a month, to support Ukrainian refugees - Being helped by Megan Devalin, from Attleborough Boxing Club.Michael Harper is undertaking his second fundraising effort, aiming to throw 10,000 boxing punches in a month, to support Ukrainian refugees - Being helped by Megan Devalin, from Attleborough Boxing Club. (Image: Kingsley Healthcare home)

Marcia Hughes, the wellbeing coordinator at Thorp House, described Mr Harper as “an inspiration to us all.”

"He had a stroke a few months ago, but despite his health difficulties, he was determined to do his wheelchair marathon and has now followed it up with this challenge,” she said.

You can support Michael’s challenge via https://gofund.me/a40c02cb