YOUNGSTERS pulled no punches as they helped raise money for vital adaptations to their community centre.

Jeff Moses, head boxing coach at Barrow Amateur Boxing Club, joined forces with the YouthAbility group to raise money for Walney Community centre to make it more accessible for the users.

Jeff came up with the idea to hold a ‘punchathon’ so people participating could get sponsored to help raise the money.

YouthAbility is an inclusive youth service for young people with disabilities run by Les McLeese. He said the punchathon was a much-needed fundraiser for the adaptations.

The Mail:

He said: “Our group is for young people who are disabled and some who are wheelchair users. They must go into a carpark on Central Drive which can be quite dangerous and can take up to 15 minutes if they have trouble working to get into the garden and to access the toilet.

“We looked at many ways on how to adapt this and came up with the idea to take out one of the windows and put a bifold door in with an accessible ramp up to it.

“We work closely with Jeff and his team at ABC boxing as they run a BoxAbility class with our disabled group and he came up with the idea to hold a punchathon so each participant can get sponsored so we can raise the money for the equipment.

READ MORE: Barrow youth service launch new project for groups mental and physical health

“It’s gone down an absolute storm. All the group loved it and they all managed to do 300 punches each.”

The Mail:

Jeff Moses said the adaptations would be a massive plus for all the group and carers.

He said: “The whole of the gym including the women’s boxing, keep fit boxers, juniors, and the disability group has raised sponsors.

“It looks like we are going to be on target. Local firms in the area have already reached out offering to help.

“The community has also been amazing. Someone else out there might be able to contribute some timber towards the adaptions but people can also donate directly to me which will be going straight to the job. The more money we get the more quality gear we can get and the more we can do."

READ MORE: Disabled youngsters complete Dalton one mile fun run

Jeff, who is a tradesman, and some members of the gym will be helping strip out the garden ready for the job and are hoping to start as early as next week.

The Mail:

He said: “It’s a massive plus for the group and the carers as it can often take at least two carers to take one of the members to the toilet.

“If we can achieve what we are wanting to it’s a win win.”