TORCH RELAY: Newport boxing coach to run in home town (From South Wales Argus)

TORCH RELAY: Newport boxing coach to run in home town

3:10pm Thursday 24th May 2012 in Gwent Torch bearers By Will Bain

BOXING coach, Mark James, will be carrying the torch through his home town of Newport.

The 48-year-old , who volunteers at the Rascal Hope centre in Somerton, runs exercise classes and sessions for adults and children to learn to box.

The sessions aim to promote a healthy and more active lifestyle.

A former Welsh amateur boxer himself, Mr James now trains a number of boxers who’ve reached the same level.

He runs three, three hour sessions a week after he finishes work at Bodycote in Maesglas, but says "the enjoyment on the kids faces makes it worthwhile."

On the relay itself, Mr James will be taking it a bit easier than he does in the ring. "I won’t be sprinting with the torch, I think it will be a nice easy jog. I’m over the moon to get the chance to be a part of it," he said.

Mr James’ partner, Debbie Clark, who nominated him, said:"Through his dedication and commitment the impact that Mark has had on his community can not be overestimated."

He has helped to inspire so many young people and provided them with a focus in life that simply did not exist before his intervention. Every community needs a Mark James."