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A talented boxer took his own life after losing his grandmother and was told that his sister suffered from leukemia. The grief-stricken family of Dan Walton marked a decade since his passing this month.

A product of Chelmsley Wood Amateur Boxing Club in Solihull, Dan enjoyed a brief stint as a professional fighter before dying on March 14, 2013. Brummie champion Frankie Gavin was among those paying tribute at the time.

Now, ten years later, Dan’s devastated mother, Maria, has honored her beloved son by starting a walk from their home in Acocks Green to her beloved Old Trafford. Maria said she wanted to continue the legacy of her Manchester United-loving son by raising money for the Mind charity.

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“It’s something I was planning to do for a long time, but I just didn’t put it together,” Maria said. “It doesn’t get any easier.”

The 56-year-old works at Birmingham airport as a security officer. He has nine other children between the ages of 16 and 35 and recounted how his tight-knit family had become a rock.

Despite his boxing pedigree, Maria described Dan as “very sensitive.” She revealed that he had been affected by the death of her grandmother before discovering that her sister was fighting for his health.

“He was very protective of people,” Maria said. “He was small, but he was as tough as anyone. He had a really soft heart and always looked out for people if they were upset.”

Dan’s brave sister overcame her cancer treatment, but her distraught mother said Dan had an “irrational fear of loss”. She added that things “hit him deeper” than they might have with others.

She added: “Five months before she took her own life, my daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. That was something that really affected her. She found it difficult.”

“I just think he felt it would be a burden. That wasn’t the truth, but that’s why it’s important that people speak up and not let it fester in their minds.”

Maria set out on her journey through the Midlands to Greater Manchester on Mother’s Day. When she spoke to Birmingham Live, she was set to walk about 20 miles a day.

“I think it’s quite fitting and touching because I’m a grieving mother,” she said. One fundraiser has so far exceeded its target of £150 and raised £1,855. Maria went on to say that she wanted people to remember her son’s accomplishments and “not let what happened define Dan’s beautiful life.”

“Dan had won the UK boxing championship as a senior amateur just before turning professional,” he added. “It’s important for me to mention a great achievement.

“He had a lot of potential. I feel like mental health is a big issue in sports. My next search will probably be to address this.”

You can contact Samaritans by sending an email to [email protected] or by calling 116 123.

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