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Pensioners say 'box and brew' events are a knockout

John Devine/BBC Geoff Perry, 75, is on the right with boxing gloves. He is wearing a maroon t-shirt and has short white hair, a beard and a moustache. He is punching with his right hand a pad held by coach, Paul Gill. They are in a room with a wooden floor which has white lines painted on it for various sports. Punch bags are hanging on the walls. Paul Gill is in a white t-shirt. He has cropped grey hair and a beard and moustache.John Devine/BBC
Geoff Perry, 75, right, who says his mobility and stamina have improved, being put through his paces by coach Paul Gill

Boxing sessions to boost the health and fitness of a town's older generation have been a big hit.

The JG Next Generation Foundation - a non-profit venture to boost people's self-confidence set up by professional boxer Jordan Gill - has been putting on "box and brew" events in March, Cambridgeshire.

Geoff Perry, 75, who joined three months ago with his wife, Jane, 71, said it gave them a "real high".

Boxing coach Paul Gill - Jordan's dad - said: "We call the sessions 'box and brew' because after a workout we sit down with a cuppa and put the world to rights."

John Devine/BBC Paul Gill is wearing a white t-shirt. He has cropped grey hair and a beard and moustache. Behind him is a boxing ring on a stage. Punch bags hang on stands on the floor below.John Devine/BBC
Paul Gill says that he loves coaching the punching pensioners, and enjoys seeing the progress they make as they grow in confidence

Cambridgeshire County Council has helped fund "box and brew", and said it had "huge health and social benefits".

Mr Gill, who as a 40-year pedigree in boxing, added: "It's not all about throwing punches.

"It's more about getting the elderly together, helping their balance, mobility, strength and, importantly, mental wellbeing.

"We have a chap here, who, when he first came had to sit down to do the exercises and spar.

"He used sticks to walk, but after three-months he can get about without them and he's freely standing now," he added.

John Devine/BBC Linda Smith, 53, has blond-coloured hair tightly swept back. She is wearing a grey t-shirt and a gold necklace. She has red and white boxing gloves with black writing on them saying 'Geezers boxing'.John Devine/BBC
Linda Smith, 53, says the boxing sessions are great for her mental health

Linda Smith, 53, from Chatteris, said: "It has benefited my mental and physical health so much.

"It motivates me, helps me with co-ordination and it's great socially to get out and meet new people."

John Devine/BBC Jane Perry, 71, has grey hair over her forehead but not in her eyes. She is wearing a black t-shirt and has red and white boxing gloves on. She is in a 'boxing pose' with her right arm held near her chest and her left extended.John Devine/BBC
Jane Perry, 71 said she was never a fan of boxing, but said the sessions were "really enjoyable"

"My family and friends are really surprised I have taken up boxing", said Jane Perry, 71.

"My husband does it with me and we feel really good - it gets rid of all your aggression.

"It's great for helping you with posture. I won't be stopping anytime soon," she said.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council added it was "delighted" to help support the sessions through its Care Together programme.

They added it reduced frailty and social isolation and helped people live independently for longer.

"Alongside the physical benefits, it allows participants to make intergenerational connections in their local area and access wider support."

They said "box and brew" also challenged boxing stereotypes.

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