A Hyndburn boxing club that aims to support everyone in the community has launched a new programme to support veterans who are struggling with their mental health.

Clayton ABC, in Pickup Street, Clayton-le-Moors, is offering free sessions to 20 veterans after receiving funding from the Duchy of Lancaster alongside other organisations.

Having raised £12,000, the club head coach John Brindle reached out to the charity Healthier Heroes and arranged two new sessions, running alongside the one it already runs, which it does off its own back.

John said: “I have always had a soft spot for veterans, my family my grandparents and parents were in the forces.

“We are starting with these three sessions, and we hope it will snowball into something more significant.

“Veterans struggle to get people to put things on for them because they struggle with their mental health and PTSD and other issues such as being homeless.

“The guys we have currently coming have said they really enjoy it and it really benefits them.

“You don’t have to be fully able-bodied, we have coached people in wheelchairs before and it is open to anyone who wants to come and have a go.”

The club runs largely during the evening but it believe that it is not being utilised to its full capacity and John has been working hard to fill this void.

John explained the sessions will be tailored to the individual, whether that be a gentle exercise routine or an extremely active one.

Participants will get boxing tuition, pad work, hit bags as well as access to the full range of running, rowing, and ski-erg machines as well as weight sets.

The gym equipment at the club (Image: Clayton ABC)

Having coached for more than 20 years, John has supported numerous vulnerable groups including children who are at risk of turning to criminality as well as those who have disabilities.

John added: “I have a lot of passion for the kids around here. The team has tried to help kids in an early intervention scheme and disabled people.

“We are trying to reach out to anyone in the public who can use it.”

The club has received a lot of support from Scott Dawson Advertising and John wanted to thank them for their help in getting funding and helping them apply for it.

John concluded: “I am a boxing lad and I am not the person who can sit down and write a complicated pitch and as a club, we need all the help we can get.”

Sessions will start in the new year on January 7 at 11:45 am and continue on Wednesdays at 8.30pm and Friday at10 am and attendees do not need to be a member of any organisation to join.