Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Head Coach, Sean Jenkins, was recently in attendance at a Boxing for Parkinson’s workshop at Broad Plain Boxing Club, Bristol, run by Dennis Stinchcombe, MBE.
After listening to and seeing the positive effect boxing can have on people who suffer with Parkinson’s, Sean will be launching his very own non-contact boxing session catered around sufferers. Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder that mainly affects middle-aged and elderly people.
Sean said: “Boxing helps to ease the condition by stimulating the brain and challenging the person to practise certain balance routines, footwork drills, combinations and improve fitness levels. It can also decrease the medication needed, as well as improve the sleep of participants.
“I was truly inspired at the workshop seeing these people, visibly affected by Parkinson’s, walk into the gym, put on a pair of gloves, work on the pads and come alive. It was like all their senses, movement and mobility reawoke, and it really was great to see.
“Dennis is doing a great job encouraging other clubs to get involved, so I was more than happy to join. If I can help improve someone’s life with Parkinson’s disease through boxing, I’ll be very pleased. Never underestimate the power of boxing, no matter who you are.”
Following on from the success at Broad Plain, Sean will be running his sessions on Wednesday afternoons from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club, Coombend, Radstock BA3 3AN. For more information, contact Sean on: 07727 041615.