Write a commentNewry's Fit Club is holding a White Collar Boxing tournament at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry next weekend.
Fit Club has been running now for 6yrs. It’s all began when Brendan “Charlie” Pentony and Peter Davis retired from ABC but wanted their own wee space to workout and keep fit.
Their wee “man space “ 20sq ft quickly became popular and as the years progressed so did the premises to 200sq ft. And so did their reputation, they were donated boxing rings and approached by local charities to host a white collar event. This event turned in to an annual event, raising £200,000 for charities in NI such as Pips/Cancer Research along with supporting our local charities such as Ellen’s Journey and Fight for Alfie.
All the more incredible saying that this has all been done from premises with one toilet, no showers or changing rooms. It has been achieved through the sheer love of community and determination to help those around them.
A spokesperson for Fit Club said "Over the last year it was brought to our attention that so much more help and support is needed in our community, a place where people can come and train who suffer from depression or anxiety or mental health issues, physical disabilities which in turn isolate some people."
Fit Club has already become a community non for profit organization which will allow it to apply for funding to help the £100,000 renovation and with this up coming white collar event they hope to start the first phase.
The spokesperson added "We are extremely proud of our open door policy, and welcome every member of the public no matter the color, creed or nationality. This is evident as we welcome some men from the Polish community, who have joined the Fit Club family this year.
"Our aim is to provide a safe place for people to come and workout and in the future we will be offering support groups and programs to the minority groups in hope of helping our whole community blend together."
Next Saturday 29 June sees the Fit Club White Collar Event in the Canal Court Hotel.
Tickets are £10, doors open at 7 with the first fight taking to the ring at 7.30.
There will be 12 to 15 fights on the night followed by a disco.
