A FUND raising event is to be held for a heroic youth worker who was stabbed while protecting a group of teenagers from an armed gang.

Simon Somerville, 41, from Walthamstow, remains in hospital following the attack, which took place on October 28, although his condition is no longer critical.

He is now described as serious but stable.

The event is being organised by friends at the KO Gym, in Hatherley Mews, where Mr Somerville trains and where he also ran a boxing course for teenagers.

Gym owner Noel Tierney said: “He's a very close friend of mine. We teach through boxing – we go round prisons and other places to do demonstrations.

“We're all ex-doorman and boxers and fighters.”

Known as 'Sugar', Mr Somerville is a former amateur boxer, who competed in America, and has been running eight-week boxing courses in Walthamstow.

He was stabbed several times during the attack, which happened after he intervened in a fight following an anti-gang seminar in Deptford, organised with his brother-in-law.

Mr Somerville reportedly put himself between the youths he was working with and a gang in a bid to diffuse the situation.

A teenager was also stabbed in the lower body but has been released from hospital.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and has been bailed to return to a south London police station.

The event will be held at the Prince Regent Hotel, Woodford Bridge on November 28 and will include a disco, speeches and an appearance from former featherweight champion Colin McMillan.

Doors open at 7pm and tickets are £10 on the door. All proceeds will go to Mr Someville and his family to help them over the Christmas period.