Church boxing class 'a beacon of hope' for people in need

A BOXING class in Exeter which aims to offer hope to people living with addiction, homelessness and other needs has been officially launched at an event in the city.

- WMN REPORTER

Fitter for Faith is a community outreach ministry based at St David's Church, Queen's Terrace. Participants take part in an hour-and-a-half boxing and fitness training session in the church every Wednesday, followed by a shared lunch, wellbeing check-in and a time of prayer for each other.

It was started by Ben Cookson, a qualified boxing for fitness coach, who is himself a former drug addict. He became a Christian after he was invited to church by a friend and attended an Alpha course.

Ben said "If I was to say to someone would you like to come to church and talk about your childhood trauma, they would say 'no thanks, but generally when I say to people would you like to come and learn some boxing skills, they say 'yeah I've always wanted to do that.