CAMPAIGNERS are toasting the success of the latest events to raise funds for a statue of a Newport boxing hero.

A concert at the Newport Neon held on Saturday featured Newport bands Big Mac's Wholly Soul Band and 2 Rude. It raised £6,500 after costs of the evening were paid for. A collection at Newport County on Saturday also boosted funds.

The fundraising drive is looking to raise £35,000 to pay for the memorial to David ‘Bomber’ Pearce who was British and Welsh Heavyweight Champion in the 1980s and one the most successful boxers to come out of Newport.

Organisers say that around 800 people attended and say they are "delighted" with the success of the night.

Luke Pearce, the nephew of David Pearce and one of the planners of the event, said: "It was a fantastic night. Both bands were incredible and really put on a great show."

"I had people telling me it was one of the best nights out in Newport for years!"

The campaign was also given a big boost by a bucket collection held at the Newport County game on the Saturday afternoon which brought in £300. The club also donated a signed County shirt.

Luke says the weekend's events have really moved the campaign up a gear. "We've raised 13,000 so far so we're nearly at our first stage target of £15,000."

Luke adds: "The support we've had shows our message is getting across - people are really backing this campaign and we're proving it can happen.

"The people who came on Saturday have done David proud and they've done Newport proud".

He added: “I also want thank the committee members and to Johan Berendjy, Callum Hiscott and Dean Beddis of Kriminal Records and Diverse Music of Charles Street, who were all a big help on the night.”

I personally want to thank the people who came on the night and helped make it such a success

The next event in the campaign will be a charity dinner the Tredegar Park Golf Club to be held on May 5.