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

A 67-year-old former boxer who took part in a three-hour non-stop session on a punch bag said afterwards that he still had plenty in the tank!

Bishop’s Stortford’s Fast Feet sports shop owner Paul Lincoln embarked on the challenge for charity on Wednesday (Nov 27) after the daughter of a friend “pulled at his heartstrings”.

It was while visiting a boxing gym in Rayleigh, Essex, that Paul watched a video of bareknuckle fighter Bachir ‘Bash’ Fakhouri’s daughter in which she told 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.”

He already does two hours of bag work at Bishop’s Stortford Amateur Boxing Club at Silver Leys, Hadham Road, so Wednesday’s session in the ring did not faze the fitness fanatic.

“I absolutely smashed it and still had plenty in the tank,” he told the Indie.

Paul trained six days a week to complete the task and thanked Bishop’s Stortford Boxfit boss Scott Gleed for allowing him to use the gym.

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.

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 on many occasions.

He was pleased to report he is a good way towards meeting his £2,500 target. If you want to sponsor him, see his gofundme page here.