Chichester youngsters swop boxing ring for streets - and hospice is the winner

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.
The Chichester boxers out for their relay runsThe Chichester boxers out for their relay runs
The Chichester boxers out for their relay runs

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.

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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.

Dave Smith starts his runDave Smith starts his run
Dave Smith starts his run

It was a mammoth task to get all his team running in an urban area to reach their 100-mile 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.

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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 ten-mile 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 raised £2,500, so far, for the hospice.

If you would like to donate to this super cause please click here.

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Partridge said: “It was great to see young people and parents involved in such a positive activity - well done everyone”.

Distances covered:

A Whiting 10 miles (+85 on bike); A Miller 10 miles; J Brazil 2.5 miles; TL Brazi 10 miles; C Oxley 5.5miles; L Booth 5.5 miles; J Masters 5.5 miles; D Smith 5.5 miles; T Bevington 10 miles; Tom Johnson 7 miles; T Furlow 5.5 miles; S McKeowen 5.5 miles; R Smith 5.5 miles; C McCormack 10 miles; Jack Partridge 3 miles; Jarred Partridge 2.5 miles (+75 on bike); S McCormack 10 miles; C Marsh 10 miles.

by Ray Richardson