Former Yorkshire Regional Champion, “The Vanilla Gorilla”, has raised over £2,000 for Sheffield City Boxing Club.
Callum Beardow, who was undefeated in his professional career, took on the Oulton Marathon on November 24 to help “soften the blow” for the club during a period of financial instability.
Mr Beardow said: “We could probably get this cash from charging more, but we want a safe space that people from all backgrounds and social classes can afford. “
The voluntary run gym charges just £2.50 for a session, making them one of the cheapest gyms in the country.
Mr Beardow said: “Sometimes we have parents with multiple kids wanting to come along but they can’t afford it. We usually let them off with just paying for one of the kids. We never turn people down.”
The gym, which has been open since 2011, takes on all types of kids and uses boxing as a tool to teach life and social skills.
Mr Beardow said: “We have bad kids who come to the gym. At the start they may not even say hello or tell you their name. After a couple of weeks, they tell you their name or give you a handshake. Before you know it, they’re telling you how their day went and what they did at school. You see them develop as a young person.
“Religion, experience and gender get left at the door here. Everyone’s equal. Whether you’re overweight, a fit youngster, or have a disability everyone is treated the same. We have a kid who is completely blind. If he’s had a fun time for half an hour our job is done.”
Mr Beardow himself started off as an “overweight kid with no confidence” when he stepped inside Sheffield City Boxing Gym for the first time.
He went from a first-timer to an amateur boxer, going on to become Yorkshire Regional Champion and the number two Cruiserweight in the country before becoming professional and having a six-year career.
He said: “What I’ve found after being involved with this club both as a boxer and now as a trainer is that if anyone has had a bad day, I guarantee they feel better walking out after an hour’s session.”
To donate go to Fundraiser by Callum Beardow : Sheffield City Boxing Club