24-hour boxathon smashed stigma of mental illness

Personal trainer Sharon Plummer organised a 24hr Boxathon at Redwell Brewery near Trowse for Norfolk day to try and raise awareness of mental health issues. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

Personal trainer Sharon Plummer pulled together a team of dedicated volunteers to throw punches through the night, at Redwell Brewery, in Trowse.

Ms Plummer said: "We did not have one hitch, or one thing I would have done differently, it was just incredible, I'm blown away. We were supported the whole way through."

The event kicked off at midday on Saturday with many children taking part in boxing challenges for all ages.

Then overnight a small team took turns to box for 20 minutes in pairs to keep the bid going, while others rested.

Organiser Sharon Plummer engagiging with children at the 24hr boxathon event which aimed to help eliminate the stigma around mental health. Picture: Submitted by Sharon Plummer (Image: Archant)

Ms Plummer said: "We opened again this morning and we did not stop, we did right through the night and then we all got in the ring for the last five minutes."

As well as raising awareness for how boxing can help with mental ill health, local groups Empathy and MEND were on hand to offer advice too.

Hundreds of people came down to support the 24hr boxathon event at Redwell Brewery near Trowse. Picture: Submitted by Sharon Plummer (Image: Archant)

Laura Handford from Redwell Brewery near Trowse offered her venue under the arches for the 24hr boxathon event which aimed to help end the stigma around mental health issues. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

Volunteers were still going strong early on Sunday morning as a 24hr boxathon to raise awarenes of mental health issues drew to a close. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

Punching the night away. Volunteers undertook a 24hr boxathon event at Redwell Brewery near Trowse to raise awareness of mental health issues in the community. Picture: Submitted by Sharon Plummer (Image: Archant)