City boxers hit the streets for a lockdown fundraiser
Chichester Boxing Club head coach Jarred Partridge has been racking his brains during lockdown to keep his coaching team busy and keep his boxers fit and safe.
Like every boxing coach in the country, he has been busy organising online workouts, competitions and chats.
Partridge came up with the idea of a sponsored run for his boxers.
The aim was to run 100 miles in a day between them to raise money for a local charity.
This, in his mind, would keep the boxing team together and keep his boxers’ fitness levels up; it would also help those in the community less fortunate and it would raise the profile of the Chichester Boys Club.
It was a mammoth task to get all his team running in an urban area to reach their 100mile target safely while also keeping the lockdown rules about social distancing.
His team worked on the problems and logistics and came up with a simple relay between Chichester and Havant Leisure Centre with every boxer running a five-mile section, being transported to their start by parents.
The route was all on footpaths with each runner accompanied by two
members of staff on bikes.
The charity chosen by the boxers was Chestnut Tree children’s hospice, which they chose after watching a video of all the amazing work the hospice does for very ill children.
Ash Whiting organised and checked the route and sorted the risk assessment; Adam Miller organised the fundraising.
Partridge liaised with the charity and oversaw the project. Mark Smith organised the checkpoints and Dave Smith chased everyone up on the day.
It was a 15-hour day, starting at the Chichester Boys’ Club at 5.30am and finishing back at the club at 8.30pm when club captain Cain Marsh finished his tenmile section.
Whiting said: “It was good to see the boxers giving 110 per cent often doing extra mileage.
In total the boxers covered 130 miles and have raised £2,500 so far for the hospice.
If you would like to donate to this super cause please go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving. com/fundraiser-display/show Rofundraiserpage?userurl= Chiboysclub&pageurl=1
Partridge said: “It was great to see young people and parents involved in such a positive activity - well done everyone”.