Hero boxer who saved Princess Anne from gun-toting kidnapper reveals the Queen paid off his mortgage in sign of gratitude
An ex heavyweight boxer who was awarded the George Medal after saving Princess Anne from a gun-toting kidnapper has revealed the Queen paid off his mortgage to thank him for his bravery, the Daily Mail reports.
Ronnie Russell, 72, was shot at after he punched fanatical loner Ian Ball twice in the head as he tried to take the princess hostage at gunpoint in central London in March 1974.
He was awarded The George Medal medal but is now reluctantly selling it to help provide for his future after his health deteriorated following several strokes.
The former boxer has now revealed how, before he was due to receive his medal at Buckingham Palace, police visited his home in Strood, Kent, on which he was struggling to pay his mortgage.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said: “They were looking round my home and saying, ‘Oh this is a nice house.' They asked if I had a mortgage and I said, “Yes, yes, why?”
‘They said, “We are telling you this a bit early but the Queen is going to pay off your mortgage as a gift for what you have done.”
‘I thought that was wonderful. I was actually close to repossession at the time. So I dug myself out of that one.’
Mr Russell, who now lives in Bristol, is reluctantly selling the George Medal as he is in poor health, having suffered several strokes, and wants to be able to provide for his future.
The Princess's car was unaccompanied because police did not think the Royal Family was a target. But Ball's actions led to a major overhaul of security arrangements for all VIPs.
The medal is going under the hammer at Dix Noonan Webb in central London next month.
It is estimated to sell for between £15,000 and £20,000.
It will be sold with related items, including a letter from 10 Downing Street informing Mr Russell of the award, a telegram from Princess Anne and a letter from the Met Commissioner.
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