Sheffield boxing chief raring to re-open on April 12

Award-winning boxing coach Reagan Denton said: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the gym on Monday, April 12, after a long lockdown since November 5.”

De Hood Boxing Centre based in the old Prince Edward Primary School is a registered charity offering daily ‘Boxercise’ fitness classes, circuit training and weight training for children and adults.

“We get 40-60 kids a night and dozens of adults in here and when it’s buzzing it’s a great family atmosphere”, said the local lad turned fitness guru and community leader.

Reagan and De Hood have won a string of awards including a BBC ‘Community Champion’ Award for Health Promotion.

De Hood supports people with health challenges to fitness such as diabetes, obesity, anxiety and depression and runs a popular recovery group for people recovering from addiction.

“We’re an all year round centre for the whole community and we can’t wait to get going again turning lives around and supporting the community,” said Reagan.

“There’s been a lot of gun and knife crime in the area linked to turf wars in the illegal drugs trade and these gangs prey on young people and groom them into crime and violent behaviour, says Reagan. We’ve seen lots of young men’s lives ruined by crime and drugs and I want to be part of the solution not the problem”, he added.

“Now, we’re getting support and recognition from the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, the Police & Crime Commissioner and the South Yorkshire Community Foundation for our work.”

Reagan works with a dedicated team of 18 local volunteers who are all fully trained and keen to get started again after the long break.

To join De Hood Boxing Centre and Community Hub or find out more about the charity’s activities, email [email protected]