An ex-con has raised over £450,000 for Sheffield-based charities following his release from prison in 2015.

Pop Hayward, from Egerton Street, Sheffield spent 17 years in jail before turning his life around and dedicating himself to helping the local community and the next generation.

The 68-year-old said: “I can see the first footsteps into crime because I’ve been there, so who better to steer kids clear of it than me.”

When Mr Hayward is not raising money for the likes of Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, he spends his time in Riley’s Fitness Gym in Handsworth, where he uses boxing as a tool to inspire the younger generation.

He said: “I get 200 texts a day. Parents see what I do and they contact me if their kid is getting bullied at school, or if their kid has autism, Aspergers’ or ADHD, and I can’t say no. 

“I make people feel good about themselves and I give them confidence. I work for nothing, I don’t take a penny so I’m not getting people in the gym for me. I know what it’s going to do for them.”

Mr Hayward was sent to Wakefield Prison for robbery in 1998, but decided it was time for him to change after his release at age 60.

He said: “I’ve lived that life, I’ve been a character. In jail I’ve met the worst murderers in the country. I got out in 2015, and I did my first charity boxing event. From there I’ve never looked back.”

During Covid-19, Mr Hayward spent twelve months collecting food donations from supermarkets, delivering a quarter-tonne of food a day to pensioners and others who needed support. 

Perry Howe, former WBF Cruiserweight International Boxing Champion and close friend of Pop Hayward, said: “He’s an all-round giving person who doesn’t really do a lot for himself and a humble guy so a lot of people do help him when we are raising money for charities. He’s a top all round geezer.”

When Perry Howe first met Hayward he was 19 stone, but through his guidance Howe got down to 14 stone and became a professional boxer. Hayward guided him through 26 fights, including a WBF Cruiserweight title.

Mr Howe said: “From a personal level, I’ll always be grateful for what he’s done for me and my family, and I also like to see how much he does for others.  

“It’s so important for young people to have a role model like Pop. There’s a lot of funding being cut. I live in Gleadless Valley and the  kids all hang about and there is nothing for them to do and there’s no community centres. They can go to Pop, and he can steer them in the right direction. He’s a pillar of the community.”