The Mary Peters Trust has created a sports photography competition, open to amateurs as well as professionals, to honour their friend and volunteer to the Trust, Hugh Russell who sadly passed away in 2023.
A star boxer and much-loved friend and colleague to many, Hugh, after a period in professional boxing, had an outstanding 40-year career as an award-winning press photographer with the Irish News.
In the field of sport his achievements in and contribution to boxing spanned Commonwealth and Olympic bronze as an amateur, followed by a four-year stint as a professional securing two British titles at bantamweight and flyweight.
Known as ‘Little Red’ due to his flame-coloured hair, Hugh purchased his first camera with some spare Russian roubles at the close of the 1980 Moscow Olympics beginning a lifelong love of photography. As a highly respected and longstanding Irish News photographer, Hugh documented images of all facets of life, people and momentous events in Northern Ireland and is remembered as a true gentleman and a great ambassador for sport.
Welcoming the photographic competition in memory of Hugh, Lady Mary Peters said:
“Hugh was a dear friend to the Mary Peters Trust and is deeply missed by all of us. Back in the 1980s, not long after the Trust was set up, we presented Hugh with a special award to honour his success in boxing. In setting up the competition, we are privileged to have the blessing of Hugh’s family and it’s wonderful to have Hugh’s son Hugh Russell Jnr involved in our launch activity.
“I would also like to thank the Irish News team and especially their chief photographer Mal McCann for their help and support and we look forward to judging all the entries and hope that we have an excellent response.”
The closing date for entries is 5.00pm on Friday 31st October 2025 with judging taking place in early November. Alongside Mal McCann and Lady Mary Peters, the judging panel includes high-profile photographers Kelvin Boyes and Stephen Davison, Ladies footballer Marissa Callaghan and Chair of the Mary Peters Trust, Jim Gracey.
Two winners (amateur and professional) will each receive a trophy and an invitation for two people to the Mary Peters Trust Sport Inspires lunch event on Friday 21st November at Belfast’s Europa Hotel.
Each entry costs £10 and more details along with terms and conditions can be found on the Mary Peters Trust website:
Click Here to enter
