Boxing coach running five marathons in five days in bid to raise £50,000 to improve lives in and out the ring

Callum Larson, 28, started coaching at ABC Boxing in Jarrow’s Bilton Hall Community Trust in Jarrow, three years ago, after spending four years in the army, to try and help more people in the community.

He is now hoping to raise £50,000 to improve facilities at the centre with his 131-mile challenge.

The 26.2-mile route, which he will complete five times, will see Callum set off from his home town of Jarrow, go up through to East Boldon, into Sunderland and back round the coast towards South Shields.

He is hoping to see people join in the running with him and supporting him along the way, but knows how big of a challenge the five runs will be.

Callum said: “It’s going to be hard but I think I can do it. The money would make a massive difference, it would really open doors for the centre. We have a very limited space at the minute and this would help us expand to reach more of the community.

I want to keep the club striving. These kids don’t have much so they need this kind of grassroots support.”

ABC Boxing has been running in Jarrow for 35 years and was started by Callum’s Grandad to help keep kids off the street, keep the community fit and provide people with a purpose.

The club has been represented in competitions all around the country, with the long term goal of helping young boxers become professional.

Callum will be doing the marathons on behalf of Bilton Hall Community Trust who aim to support people in the South Tyneside community with different community groups, fundraisers and events.

Community Development Manager at Bilton Hall, Joanna Tuck, said: “Places like this are massive to the community. We want to help enable the community to better themselves.”

Callum will be undertaking his five marathons in five days challenge at the end of April, and you can support him by donating to his Go Fund Me page.