A NORTH East businessman has stepped in to financially support a County Durham boxing club with a donation totalling £900 – securing the long-term future of the community sport club and affording vitally needed equipment.

Company owner Simon Whitfield, who is the managing director of Stockton-based Halt Hire, recently made the generous gesture to West Auckland Boxing Gym after seeing the first-hand benefits of boxing on participants’ mental health and wellbeing.

Mr Whitfield, who is a long-time boxing fan and supporter of the gym, has highlighted that £400 of the donation will go towards the cost of supplying members with new tracksuits and training tops, while £500 will be used to aid the upkeep of the West Auckland facility.

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Mr Whitfield said: “Stephen Nicholson is a long-standing customer of mine and as a boxing fan myself I’ve followed the fortunes of the gym since it was started from scratch less than two years ago.

 “I wanted to reward the hard work of the many people who have made this facility such a success, and who are helping to transform so many lives through their passion for the sport of boxing.”

West Auckland Amateur Boxing Gym was founded in the early months of the pandemic by local man, Stephen Nicholson, who is managing director of Bishop Auckland-based bespoke painting and decorating firm S Nicholson & Sons, and head coach Ernest Spowart.

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Since its opening, it has attracted a host of high-profile visitors including former IBF cruiserweight champion Glenn McCrory, former IBF bantamweight champion Paul Butler, former IBO super middleweight champion Robin Reid, and current WBC silver middleweight title holder Sam Eggington.

In addition, following the donation of a minibus, members have been able to travel to training sessions and competitions across the country.

Mr Nicholson said: “We’ve had great support from the local parish council and other local businesses who recognise that we have created something the community of West Auckland can be truly proud of.”

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Co-founder of West Auckland Boxing Club, Ernest Spowart, added: “This donation has provided our boxers with new tracksuits and tops, as well as helping maintain this first-class local amenity. Some of our members aren’t always able to afford things like sportswear, so this gesture is truly appreciated.”

 The gym, which was officially opened last summer by Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison, is also supported by coaches Kallum Stuart, Kevin Dixon and club secretary David Morsley.

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