Fast Feet Sports owner and former boxer Paul Lincoln embarks on three-hour bag work challenge to help girl raise food bank funds

Former boxer and Bishop’s Stortford sports shop owner Paul Lincoln is embarking on a marathon feat on Wednesday (Nov 27) after the daughter of a friend “pulled at his heartstrings” and sparked a charity challenge.

It was while visiting a boxing gym in Rayleigh, Essex, that Paul watched a video of bare-knuckle fighter Bachir ‘Bash’ Fakhouri’s daughter, in which she told of how she was raising money for her local food bank in Hastings, East Sussex.

Paul, who has been involved in the sport for 55 years, said: “It really pulled at my old heartstrings, so I decided to raise some money for her school.”

The 67-year-old owner of Fast Feet Sports in High Street told the Indie he already does two hours of bag work at Bishop’s Stortford Amateur Boxing Club at Silver Leys, Hadham Road.

“In the middle of one of the rings is a punch bag, and I thought let’s throw my hat in the ring and do three hours,” said Paul. “I know I’ve got it in my tank.”

The money raised will go to the girl’s school – Ore Village Primary Academy – on behalf of the Salvation Army food bank in Hastings, and Paul has also pledged to give pupils £500 of sports equipment.

“It’s a good cause and it makes me feel good that I can raise some money for them,” he added.

Paul, who is also a keen runner, boxed for the famous Repton Boxing Club in Bethnal Green, east London, winning four area ABA titles, reaching the national finals at the Royal Albert Hall in 1980 and representing his country internationally on many occasions.

Paul’s boxing challenge on Wednesday (Nov 27) starts at 3pm and doors will open to the public at 4.30pm. So far he has raised £1,400 towards his £2,500 target. If you want to sponsor him see his gofundme page here.