By James Bovington
Armley boxer Josh Wisher and three others from his gym The Ministry of Boxing in Moorfield Road raised £322 for mental health charity MIND by running a half marathon along the Leeds Liverpool canal from Bingley Five Rise Locks to Armley’s Wyther Lane.
“We set out to raise £300 and are delighted that over 20 people donated so that we exceeded this raising about £360, with Gift Aid included,” said Wisher.
“And I’m grateful to fellow runners Lucy, Thomas and Becca for doing this with me. We started in rainy Bingley and finished in sunny Armley.”
Wisher, 24, has his fifth professional fight at Elland Road and first six-rounder scheduled for 8 September, opened The Ministry of Boxing in September last year and now runs classes for all age groups attended by over a hundred weekly including two ladies-only sessions.
He said: “I chose MIND because MIND works to improve mental health which is also an objective at The Ministry.
“The benefits of boxing in improving mental well-being irrespective of whether a person actually competes are well known.
“Boxing provides challenge, gives a person an ambition and a goal and can make them proud of what they accomplish as well as improving physical health,” explained Wisher, adding ‘Running this half-marathon encouraged me to commit to the York Marathon in October’.
Primary school teacher Lucy Denison who attends the ladies’ sessions, added: “I’m proud to have taken part in this and helped support MIND. It’s given me the impetus to sign up for October’s Abbey Dash. I always feel good after boxing sessions at the gym and would encourage more women living locally to sign up.”
Sessions at The Ministry cost £6 and further information can be found on Facebook at The Ministry of Boxing or at JoshWisherBoxing.