NHS staff in Cheshire have been raising fitness levels and boosting their confidence by taking part in boxing training sessions supported by MTX, a specialist in Modern Methods of Construction which ‘fast-tracks’ the creation of new hospital facilities.
MTX completed a £13 million two-storey extension to the Emergency Department at Leighton Hospital near Crewe, and says it ‘wanted to give something back’ to the staff who are under intense pressure in the wake of COVID-19. MD, David Hartley (pictured, second from right) explained: “We work closely with the NHS, and see first-hand the tremendous effort involved in caring for patients, and also the huge pressures on staff. We took the opportunity to work with the Maverick Stars charity to provide practical support for NHS staff.”
The company sponsored the boxing training classes through Maverick Stars, which worked with South Cheshire Amateur Boxing Club to invite NHS staff to take part. The Maverick Stars Team encourages boxing clubs to engage with their communities, and create greater awareness of the benefits of the sport.
Matthew Gallimore, MBE, is a coach at SCABC, and has led the NHS classes for the last four months, working with medical staff. He said: “It has been fantastic training, and has given all the medical staff who attended a way of releasing frustrations and stresses from their busy job, and simultaneously helped improve fitness and mental health.”
NHS staff gave their own verdicts on the benefits of boxing training. Rachel explained: “I attended my first ABC boxing class just over a year ago, when my friend told me about a boxercise class for NHS staff. When we got there, there were boxing rings and lots of punch bags, and I panicked that this would not be up my street. How wrong I was; The coaches have been fabulous. It’s an inclusive environment, and I’ve learnt a whole new skill, not just the fitness that comes naturally with it. What a great thing to do for NHS staff, I’ve made life-long friendships, and I don’t want it to end.”
SCABC Head Coach, Nathan Clarke, added: “We appreciate the opportunity provided by MTX and Maverick Stars, and the donation from MTX to support our organisation. Matthew, and our coaches, Monika Cien, Hayley Bevan, and Simon Jones, who began the coaching, have really enjoyed meeting the fantastic NHS staff over the past year, and we hope to continue connecting with the NHS in the future.”
