St Piran’s Amateur Boxing Club in St Day, near Redruth, has thanked Devon & Cornwall Police for their recent donation, after returning to Cornwall triumphant ‘winning a belt’ at the Western Counties competition in Bournemouth.

The Cornwall and Isles and Scilly (CIOS) police team donated £500 to St Piran’s ABC through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) after they shared their aim to give young people in Cornwall an opportunity to train with them. 

The purpose of Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) 2002 is to deprive a convicted criminal of any financial benefit that they may have made through their crimes, funds are reinvested in local community projects.

Blaze Hughes, from Pool won the welterweight category in Western Counties competition (Western Counties covers seven counties). 

St Piran’s is a new club which has been spurred on by founder Tony Houghton, coaches and donations including £500 from the Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly Police team and £1000 from the Bollingey Barbarians.

Club founders Tony and Tracey Houghton said: “Contact sport really suffered during the pandemic and many boxing club closed or were slow to reopen. 

“I wanted to open the club to help give kids in the Redruth area something to do as well as an opportunity for other boxers in Cornwall without access to a boxing clup to continue to train.

“In November 2021 I decided to repurpose and restore a barn in St Day to create a new boxing club. We refurbished the barn and added, changing rooms, toilets, and started the club with one boxing ring and a few punch bags. Further boxing equipment was donated by all of the coaches that are still with the club.”

“On behalf of St Piran’s Amateur Boxing Club I would like to thank Devon & Cornwall Police for their generous donation. The club continues to thrive and the equipment purchased will certainly be put to good use.”

Paul Trethewey, St Piran coach and fundraiser said: “In a relatively short time the club has grown from strength to strength. We have 25 juniors aged 10 to 17 who are now part of the club and we’ve starting a waiting list. 

“We have a real mix of ages, backgrounds, and abilities, most of whom have joined us have never boxed before.”

“I’ve seen some young people arrive to our training sessions looking a little intimated, with their heads down. After joining, they become more confident, and some of them are already really living and breathing the sport.”

A young club member told us: “I find boxing helps keep me fit, whilst being able to control my energy levels. Tony is a fantastic coach and has helped me build my stamina whilst having fun.”

Devon and Cornwall Police’s Chief Superintendent Ben Deer, Commander of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said: “Congratulations to St Piran’s boxing club for their success and especially for the work they are doing to coach and support young people and adults in the Redruth area whilst putting Cornwall on the map.  

“Being active, working towards clear goals and improving confidence are excellent life skills which enable our community to thrive.”