Hamer boxers given Muhammad Ali sports bag

Hamer youngsters with Kidco representatives Saqib Hussain and Sakhawat Hussain

All the young boxers at Hamer Amateur boxing club have just been given a free Muhammad Ali sports bag by local businessman Zahir Mahmood of Kidco Trading Ltd, on Princess Street Rochdale.

Mr Mahmood said: "I see every week what this great club dose for our community. Only the other week the youngsters gave up a day of their school holidays to work with disabled youngsters at the gym.

“It's a great club and a great team of volunteers who work there. Muhammad Ali sadly passed away last week and they gave up their time again on Sunday to meet with the Good Morning film crew for ITV and paid tribute to the great heavyweight champ.

“I decided to give something back to them by giving each of them an Ali kitbag."

Sarhan, 12, Khan said: “I will keep this bag for ever, it means that much to me.”

Adam Earnshaw, 13, said: "The bag is great. Now I will look the part.”

Jude English, 14, and 17-year-old Bethany Connellan said: "We loved working with those disabled youngsters and to get an Ali training bag is great.”

Hamer head coach Steven Connellan said: “I would like to thank Mr Mahmood for his kind gesture.

“These kids are a great bunch and it's good that someone outside of the gym actually takes note and sees what they are doing for the people within our community.

“Boxing is a great sport and helps build character. These young people will always have that discipline in life now due to boxing and it can only be good for the rest of their life that they now have strong values and a sense of purpose.”