Peninsula footballer stepping into boxing ring for charity

A Shotley peninsula sportsman is swapping his football boots for boxing gloves to raise money and awareness for a mental health charity dedicated at helping young people.

Brantham Athletic winger Tom Lawson is stepping into the ring on 11 March to take part in three x two minute rounds for Young Minds at a huge charity event at Trinity Park

The 19-year-old, who works for Eastern Hose when not sparring, training or playing, is aiming to raise at least £350, but also wants to inspire other young people, who like Tom have struggled with mental health issues.

Tom's Just Giving page...

In a candid interview while preparing for his bout, Tom bravely spoke openly about his issues.

"I have been there. I have tried to take my life, more than once," revealed Tom..

"I have been to hospital with mental health issues and I was at my absolute lowest.

"But now I wake up every morning determined to work as hard as I can to make sure I'm a good person to be with.

"That determination has seen me now getting ready to have my first charity bout. That shows others no matter how dark it is things can be done."

"I want to be an example to other lads around my age who have, and still are, struggling with their mental health, and show there is always a light at the end of the tunnel."

Using his head, in more ways than one, was a factor in former Northgate student Tom taking on this challenge.

He said: "I have wanted to start up boxing for a while now and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try boxing and help with mental health too.

"I still have some issues so Young Minds is the main mental health charity I wanted to support, and raise money and awareness."

Tom Lawson on the ball for Brantham (Picture: Ian Evans)

On top of his training sessions with the Imps, Tom has embarked on a special 12 week boxing course at Grange Fitness and Performance Gym to ensure he is in tip top condition to box.

Tom, who does not have a propensity for violence, the nearest he has ever got to a fight has been the occasion scuffle on the football pitch, was inspired after watching a charity boxing event at Trinity Park.

He added: "I watched their last event and I wanted to try. I looked around but their 12 week course was by far the best and now I usually train four times a week."

Tom's Just Giving page...

And Tom has already felt the benefits in the boxing gym and playing football.

"It has helped enormously," he said. "My fitness has obviously improved, and I noticed that at football. I feel good the whole 90 minutes and able to get up and down the wing better, so I can do the defending as well as attacking.

An orthodox boxer, Tom currently weighs in at 80kg but is looking get down to 75kg for the big night against an opponent yet to be chosen.

Another benefit boxing has given Tom, and many of the other novices, is discipline and confidence.

Tom added: "I used to be quite hot-headed, but getting hit in the head (wearing headguards) has made me use by head more in terms of thinking about what I'm doing.

"It has helped my discipline but also to be much smarter in the ring to avoid being hit and when to hit, there is a mental aspect as well as the physical side too.

"It is about being smart with your arms, elbows, balance and the way to move your head, hips and general movement."

Getting a few gloved punches to the face has not deterred Tom, indeed he relished sparring all the more.

"I love it," said Tom. "I have just started sparring and even with getting a bloody nose I realised how much I enjoyed doing it, so that motivates me to work hard and do well at it.

"My confidence has improved, like most people I was scared about getting hit in the head but I have overcome that and know I can take a hit and also how to come back when you are hit."

That has related to being able to deal with things at home and work, where he enjoys working with hydraulic engineers Eastern Hose.

"That is life too, so I have learned that even if there is a set back, I can come back from that and carry on," said Tom. "I used to hide away so nothing would happen but the boxing, and playing regular in the first team for Brantham has really helped me."

Tom's journey into charity boxing has been welcomed by his club manager Pip Boyland, himself a former amateur boxer with the highly esteemed Harwich Boxing Club, where he boxed in the national ABAs.

"I'm delighted for Tom," said Pip. "He had issues with discipline early on. He was reacting to things like he was caged up looking for a release, but now he has a completely different attitude.

"Boxing is the best form of discipline. I would have everyone doing it because it channels aggression in the right way, makes you think about how to beat your opponent one on one.

"There is no better sport for that, so I'm delighted Tom is taking part in the charity boxing match."

Tom spoke of his gratitude to Pip and his football club team mates and hopes his extra edge can help the team, as he showed at Newmarket when he grabbed an all important equaliser.

He added: "In the past I would do a 40-yard sprint and that was me, but now I can get up and down. I'm also thinking more about my game too. If I'm not tired and can run the whole 90, I'm less likely to get something wrong and also my mindset is if I do get a hit mentally or physically I won't let that get in the way. I will just get back up and I will fight as hard as I can, as rough as I can to win.

"That is how I approach games; playing as hard as I can, slide in, and when I have to use my head.

"I have always found Pip to be really helpful. I trust what he wants for me and from all of us.

"I have learned from him but I have always liked him and he has helped me grow from this young lad getting yellows all the time to someone who is smarter at the game. I still have my moments but Pip is always there to help me be a better player and a better person.

"He is always encouraging me, both in football and boxing and off the pitch he gives advice too.

"The other players have been great, not all that many know just yet, they probably will after this."

Young Imp Tom playing in FA Youth Cup against Stevenage

Nor is he bothered about any comeback about talking openly about mental health from opposition players, or future fighters in the ring.

"Not worried about opponents trying to use it to wind me up," said Tom. "Once I'm in the ring nothing will affect my focus."

And Tom showed his humility by making special mention of those supporting him outside the sporting arenas too.

"I want to thank my parents," said Tom. "They have been a massive part of helping me, my mates have been brilliant and having my girlfriend Amber supporting me has really helped.