Boxing club transforms life for autistic boy

A boy expelled from school at five years old for being "out of control" used boxing to give him focus.

Archie, 14, is autistic and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which meant he struggled to stay still and concentrate.

Training at the Fort Boxing Club in Whitchurch, Shropshire, has helped him stay "calm and disciplined", his mother Lucy Hughes said.

The club opened in August last year and has more than 100 members.

"It's been changing my outlook about my career and has helped me with my autism and ADHD," Archie told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"With me being hyperactive, I don't get many friends in school but here I feel welcome and wanted.

"Something about punching the bag makes me release my hormones and it gives me focus."

His mother said he was a totally different child to the one who first walked through the doors.

She was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and said her son's new found discipline helped him stay cool, calm and collected when she has a seizure.

"He got expelled from mainstream school when he was five because he was out of control, he couldn't sit still and couldn't communicate with anyone," she said.

"Since he has been coming here, he has transformed, and it has structured him to how he is going to be as a young man.

"Especially with my epilepsy diagnosis he has been absolutely amazing. Cool, calm and collected."

Daniel Bailey, head coach and club owner, said: "It's not all about competition, you use boxing as therapy."

People who may be suffering mentally can go to the club just to hit a bag and get all that day to day stress out, he said, and feel part of a family.

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