Youngsters in the Manor area of Sheffield are fighting fit thanks to fire service funding for their local boxing club.

De Hood boxing club has been awarded funding for equipment and a boxing ring, which will enable the club to expand and take on more young members.

The boxing club began in 2013 with the aim of reducing antisocial behaviour in the area and to give the youngsters a purpose. Within only a few weeks of opening the antisocial behaviour figures had been halved.

With 100 current members, the club is wanting to expand and to increase its numbers to 150.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue are to hold regular fire and road safety sessions for the youngsters at the club and will be seen as a role model by many of them.

The project won £7,700 which will provide this well needed equipment which De Hood needs to progress.

The funding comes from the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority’s funding scheme, the Stronger Safer Communities Reserve.

The fund saw dozens of registered charities, community organisations and partner agencies come forward and apply for grants from the £2 million fund, which had been set aside from the Authority’s reserves.

Station Manager Steve Wood, at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue said, “This new and exciting project will give the young people on the Manor an opportunity to let off steam in this very popular sport. We look forward to visiting the club and offering advice and encouragement, which in turn will benefit the whole community and help to reduce antisocial behaviour in the area.”

De Hood Boxing Club organiser Mark Wilkinson said, “We are really pleased that our project has won this funding. Our aim is to become one of the main community hubs for children and young people in the Manor area of Sheffield. The project will work in partnership with South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police to bring down antisocial behaviour, and for the youngsters something to be proud of in their local community.”