A great-grandad has spent a whopping 40 years of his life giving children in Liverpool "something to look forward to".
Jimmy Campbell has been volunteering at Tuebrook Amateur Boxing Club since 1978 and has seen generations of kids come through the doors. The 77-year-old has now been honoured with a Platinum Champion Award from the Duchess of Cornwall, which celebrates outstanding volunteers across the country in honour of the jubilee.
Jimmy, who lives in West Derby, coaches at the boxing club three times a week. The club is all-inclusive and welcomes a diverse range of people, some who have disabilities or problems at school.
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Jimmy said: “I’m feeling absolutely made up. It was totally unexpected and I’m bursting with pride. It’s not all about the boxing, it’s somewhere for them to go and let out all their energy. They can chill out here and they get confidence to mix with new people.”
The boxing coach always “goes the extra mile” for the kids, aged seven to 17, at the club. For many years, he volunteered at the club alongside his day job as a site agent.
He takes the kids to tournaments, makes sure everyone is safe and bought them eggs at Easter. People who joined the club as children now bring their own kids to be trained by Jimmy.
His grandson, Chris, also volunteers at the club and his great-grandson James, who is nearly seven, is a proud member. Jimmy’s daughter, Pauline Gorman, said: “My dad gives the kids motivation and something to look forward to.
"He’s so supportive and the parents think the world of him as well. It’s just something that he loves to do.
"There’s not a lot in Tuebrook for young people but boxing is so good for mental health and wellbeing and it’s an amazing sport.”
Jimmy has been with his wife and childhood sweetheart, Teresa Campbell, for 60 years. She added: “We’re absolutely thrilled and very proud. He never lets the children down.”
The Platinum Champions Awards are an official jubilee project to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. 490 people across the country have been crowned champions and received a specially designed pin and signed certificate from the Duchess of Cornwall.
