Guns and Hoses

Most of the time when you see a firefighter or a police officer theyre chasing criminals or putting our a fire. But for one day next month a handful of of each will take off their uniforms and put on boxing gloves. The exhibition boxing matches are raising money for one local girls struggle with a rare syndrome. Two or three days a week theres a group of Evansville police officers in serious training mode at Big Bully gym. "This is some really hard training," says Sargent Brian Hildebrand with the Evansville Police Department. On the opposite days nats of firefighters. A small group of firefighters are doing the same. "Were trying to get ready," says firefighter Mike Doran. This isnt something theyre doing to get in shape for an average day of work. Theyre prepping to get inside the ring. "Three one minute rounds boxing match. I thought it was a great opportunity for the police and fire departments to unite." Uniting for one simple cause. "Mickey. If you know Mickey its hard to say no to Mickey," says Hildebrand. Mickey Phernetton is 11 years old. She loves animals and people. And her family loves everything about her, but there is something they wish they could fix. "I wouldnt change anything about her except her hunger," says her dad Patrick. Mickey has Praeder Willi syndrome. "People with Praeder Willi feel like theyre hungry. No amount of food will ever satisfy their hunger." Its a rare disease that takes her whole family to fight. "People have to be supervised 24/7 because they would eat until they pass away." The Phernettons are literally turning their fight into a boxing a match. "Were using big head gear big gloves the referee has been instructed if anything goes wrong to stop it," says Doran. With the help of these hard working firefighters and police officers. "Unfortunately shes got a disease that is not really common. Theres not a lot of research that goes into it," says Hildebrand. Most of the money raised from the fight will go to research for Praeder Willi Syndrome. So maybe one day Mickey and all the kids just like her can live the happy normal life their families dream for them. The actual fight is taking place March 8 at 7 P.M. at the coliseum. Tickets are 15 dollars for ringside and 10 dollars for general admission. Half the money will go to Mickeys charity and the other part will go to Kids Kingdom in Evansville. If youd like to buy tickets theyre available at Siegels Uniforms, Big Bully gym and Famous Images.