MEMBERS of the Leigh Boxing & Fitness Gym were knocked out by a surprise offer to meet the cost of a new canvas for one of the club’s two rings.

Both of the canvases had seen better days and the club members had been out fundraising to help pay for the smaller of the two, when tissue makers SCA stepped in to say they would pay to replace the other.

“The offer came out of the blue and was a fantastic surprise,” said head coach Adrian Fleming.

“We only charge a nominal subscription to members and raising extra funds for new equipment takes time.

“Our members did a lot of fundraising, including packing bags at Tesco in Leigh, and we collected enough money for one canvas. SCA’s donation has been a real boost.”

The support from the company came through Leigh resident Louise Leake, who works in the Human Resources team at SCA’s Manchester mill. Louise heard that the club needed new canvases and asked the mill’s charity committee for its backing.

SCA’s Manchester mill is the home of premium household brands Cushelle toilet tissue and Plenty kitchen towel, as well as manufacturing ‘own brand’ products for leading supermarket chains.

Site manager Jim Lang commented: “The Leigh Boxing Club has a great reputation across the North West and we were delighted to be able to help it out in paying for the new canvas.”

Team Leigh Boxing has produced over 200 ABA Champions, England Internationals and professional boxers since it was first formed in 2001 and in 2014 was named North West Boxing Club of the Year.

With around 40 competitive boxers among its almost 70 members, it’s now one of the biggest boxing clubs in England.