Local heroes boost boxing bid
Telford sporting legends Mickey Bushell and Richie Woodhall have helped get a fundraising drive for a Shropshire boxing club off to a flying start.
Wheelchair sprinter Bushell, who struck T53 100m gold in the London 2012 Paralympics, and Woodhall, a former professional world boxing champion and Olympic bronze medallist, visited Wellington Boxing Academy to help launch their campaign.
The club, which celebrated its first birthday this year, currently has 50 members and is out-growing its premises in Haygate Road, Wellington.
Maintaining the club, which is without a sponsor, is costing £16,000 a year.
On their visit Woodhall, who is a co-founder of the club, and Bushell posed for pictures with young boxers and fundraiser Claire Jackson said: "It shows them what is possible and gives them something to aspire to."
She added that having the support of two well-known athletes had helped give their drive a high-profile start but it was important the club raised as much as possible to continue to develop and build on its success.
Club officials are aiming to raise funds to help meet running costs, move to larger accommodation and purchase a mini bus to help transport boxers to competitions around the country.
The club is planning to hold a sponsored run along the Wrekin next Sunday followed by a 10-bout boxing show at the Telford Whitehouse Hotel on November 16.
Woodhall and former WBO super-middleweight title challenger Michael Watson will be special guests.
The event will also involve a five-course meal and tickets are £75 per person. A charity auction will follow on November 24 at The Swan in Wellington. For further information, sponsorship inquiries or ticket bookings for any of the above call 01952 275248.
