‘Boxathon’ raises hundreds for Sheffield gym and much-loved city charity

A Sheffield boxing gym which is facing an uncertain future as it adapts to coronavirus held a ‘boxathon’ to raise money for themselves and a much-loved city charity.
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Kings Boxing and Fitness Club in Woodhouse Mill held the 24-hour long gym session earlier this month, raising hundreds of pounds for their own coffers and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The gym has endured a difficult time of late, having to move from their previous Prince of Wales Road premises in Davy’s Sports Club during lockdown.

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But gym manager Nick Smedley said that with the support of the community, and a new landlord who is fully behind what they are trying to achieve, their future was now looking up.

Kings Boxing and Fitness Gym in Woodhouse Mill held a 'boxathon' to raise money for themselves and Sheffield Children's Hospital.Kings Boxing and Fitness Gym in Woodhouse Mill held a 'boxathon' to raise money for themselves and Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Kings Boxing and Fitness Gym in Woodhouse Mill held a 'boxathon' to raise money for themselves and Sheffield Children's Hospital.

“Before lockdown, we had getting on for 100 members but we’ve gone down to 10 now,” he said.

“But our new landlord is a big boxing fan so we feel like we’ve got a long term future again.”

Taking part in the challenge were Nick’s son Rocco and his nephew Luke, as well as Ivan Wilson, Quinn Ahmed, Jack Robinson, Chelsea Capes and Bez White.

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In addition to gym members on punching bags, others doing pad work and two boxers sparring at all times, they also had a DJ who helped keep the squad going throughout the full 24 hours.

Kings Boxing and Fitness Gym in Woodhouse Mill held a 'boxathon' to raise money for themselves and Sheffield Children's Hospital.Kings Boxing and Fitness Gym in Woodhouse Mill held a 'boxathon' to raise money for themselves and Sheffield Children's Hospital.
Kings Boxing and Fitness Gym in Woodhouse Mill held a 'boxathon' to raise money for themselves and Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Nick said that all gyms were facing tough times at the moment, and that they were really thankful for all the support people had shown them.

“There is no money in training boxers but we do it for the love of it,” said Nick.

“Obviously there are a lot of gyms closing at the moment but we have a lot of talent here and we’d like to show it off.”

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As well as raising money to keep his gym open, Nick will also donate a percentage of the money raised to Sheffield Children’s Hospital dedicated charity.

Nick (left) fighting at Hillsborough in 2011.Nick (left) fighting at Hillsborough in 2011.
Nick (left) fighting at Hillsborough in 2011.

He chose the charity after his four-year-old daughter River caught a ‘one in a million’ virus and needed a life-saving blood transfusion when she was just one.

To find out more about Kings Boxing and Fitness Club, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kingsboxingandfitness.

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