Boxing club scoops funding boost

Published by Jon Land for HCL Marketing Communications in Communities and also in Education, Environment, Health, Local Government

A Staffordshire-based Club which teaches young people self respect, discipline, fitness and concentration through boxing has recently received additional funding through a local NHS commissioning group.

Stafford and Surrounds Locality Commissioning Group - part of South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT)  - recently awarded £7,000 to the Right Stuff Club in Stone, through its Locality Health Bank.

The money will contribute to helping young people stay fit and healthy and stop inflicting damage on themselves by getting drunk, over eating or taking drugs.

The Right Stuff Club is based at the Fighting Fit Gym in Stone, which was started in February last year by PC Andy Whitehall. It is achieving great success with children and young people.

Amongst the young people who have benefited as a result of taking up boxing is
20-year old Nikki Sims.

Nikki, who started drinking when she was 10 years old and had been in trouble with the police as a consequence of drink related incidents, was at a really low ebb and wanted to change her life by finding some sort of activity or unpaid work.

Nikki explained: “I met Andy at the local police station and he suggested that I pop down to the Club on Sunday. Things in my personal life had been difficult and I had been told by my doctor that my health was starting to suffer, my pancreas was damaged and I was in grave danger of dying young if I didn’t stop drinking and change my life.”

Nikki did visit the club and that visit was the start of a huge life change. She now trains five and half hours each week, has lost weight and no longer drinks alcohol.

Nikki continued: “I am now confident, in control and have self esteem. I look forward to things in my life and feel much healthier. I can also think more clearly about everything that I do in my life and the consequences of my actions. I set myself short term goals which are challenging, but I know that I can achieve.”

PC Andy Whitehall who now works for the Prevention Team, Staffordshire Young Offending Service added: “The Boxing Club is a family unit and we are totally different from any other club. We are there to support a young person encouraging them to control their aggression and focus on self control and self respect which ultimately raises their self esteem.

“Nikki is an inspiration to all our regular members and she is now helping to recruit other young people by sharing her experiences.”

Dr Anne-Marie Holder, Stafford and Surround Locality Commissioning Group said: “As Practice Based Commissioners we were enthused by this great facility and the work that it is doing. It is contributing to reducing the long term harm caused by substance misuse, alcohol and over eating and is encouraging children and young people to lead healthier lifestyles and stay away from crime.”

Anyone interested in find out more about the Right Stuff Club at the Fighting Fit Gym should contact Andy Whitehall on 07812413340
E-mail Andrew.Whitehall@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk