A BOXING club is helping people suffering with Parkinson’s Disease to help alleviate the condition.

Droitwich ABC, led by head coach Charles Delve, is running ‘Box Positive’ classes for individuals and groups of people suffering with the disease.

Box Positive involves non-contact boxing and Mr Delve, who is also a qualified occupational therapist, said: “The classes follow the principles set out by the Parkinson’s UK exercise framework.

“Group sessions alone offer the recommended two and a half hours of exercise per week.

“These classes incorporate activities that are fun as well as challenging with the aim to maximise people’s ability to carry out every day tasks independently.

“Evidently the sessions have proven beneficial for a number of people, one man has stated that it is like he has “put the condition in reverse” and that during sessions is the only time he feels “totally free of Parkinson’s”.

“The sessions enable people to regain a sense of control and an opportunity to take action in a positive way.

“I have already started delivering awareness workshops to boxing coaches with the aim of bridging the gap between healthcare and boxing.

“The aim in the future is for boxing to be used as a rehabilitative intervention for a range of physical and mental health conditions.

“This was always a vision of mine prior to becoming an Occupational Therapist, and I have used boxing within a range of mental and physical health settings.”

Parkinson’s is the second most common neuro-degenerative condition after Alzheimer’s, and Mr Delve said it would be great if people with the condition all over the country could use their local boxing club for this purpose.

He added: “The sessions enable people to regain a sense of control and an opportunity to take action in a positive way.”

For more information, go to boxpositive.co.uk/