South Tyneside gym celebrates landing one million punches and securing a top award
A Jarrow gym is celebrating winning a top award and completing its latest fundraising challenge.
A South Tyneside gym has a double reason for feeling good after landing a million punches for a local cause, as well as a major industry award.
Jarrow-based 38 Fitness on Ellison Street in the Viking Centre, had male and female fighters, aged from 14 to mid-40s, pummelling the punchbags up to 50,000 times each to raise money for Jarrow Boxing, based at Berkley Way.
The million punches were landed within the target 100 hours and the gruelling challenge raised £1,500.
Sunrise boot camps were also included in the fundraiser which meant 5am starts. The gym has also been helping runners prepare for the Great North Run.
Jarrow Boxing is a not-for-profit organisation which works with the community and creates opportunities for young fighters. Boxers on the club’s roster include Robbie Colman and Ewan Mackenzie.
The fundraiser has seen 38 Fitness top £40,000 of fundraising since it opened in 2022, which has gone to local projects, sports teams and communities. Dozens of young people have been sponsored more than 35 young people have been sponsored to compete in different sporting competitions from MMA, to boxing, rugby and football clubs.
Those efforts have been rewarded with a Prestige Awards Fitness Club of the Year 2026 gong, to be collected at a ceremony in Leeds in December.
Co-owner of 38 Fitness Dean Crouch said: “We did the million punches in 98 hours, a couple of hours ahead of the target time. We topped it up a bit to £1,500 and they’ve started using it straight away.
“It was reflected the judges’ comments for the award we got. We’re really pleased.
“We’re delighted to make an impact in the community. It’s nice to be recognised. Out aim when we first started the club was just to make a positive contribution. It’s nice to be recognised nationally for that work.
“We want to create opportunities for young people and continue with that mission.”
Prestige Awards said: “The judges were particularly impressed by the club’s commitment to giving members far more than a conventional gym experience.
“More than £40,000 has been contributed to charities, young athletes and sports teams in four years.”
Jarrow Boxing has expressed gratitude for the efforts of all at the gym.
For more information visit www.38fitness.co.uk.