Community Group of the Year and Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year nominee – One Bomb Boxing Gym and Michael Giblin
Community Group of the Year and Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year nominee – One Bomb Boxing Gym and Michael Giblin
What began as a boxing training venue in Michael Giblin’s garden has turned into a not-for-profit gym working with people of all ages including disabled children.
One Bomb Boxing Gym, now based in Longton, still trains fighters but Michael, himself a former boxer, now works with anyone from the age of four years upwards.
He prides himself on One Bomb’s inclusivity including work with young people with learning difficulties, ADHD or autism.
One young person with autism trained as a boxer and has now become a coach at the gym.
Michael and One Bomb have been nominated in the Your Heroes Awards by Rebecca Aldersea, the mum of a disabled girl who trains with Michael.
She said: “They help so many children and young adults in so many ways. They hold fundraising events to help children succeed in life. They travel all over providing a place to train and make friendships, giving children less fortunate an opportunity to travel and train. All of this is done through fundraising events.
“Recently they went to Turkey and next on their list is Ireland. My daughter has many health issues and I am so thankful I chose One Bomb for her as she feels right at home and she loves it.
“We’re looking forward to attending the One Bomb summer fair to raise funds towards these trips and gym equipment too and we hope in the near future that my daughter will be able to complete Snowdonia with her second family.
“All of the coaches and staff are fantastic. Nothing is too much for them and they really help build confidence in these children and young adults.”
Michael, from Blurton, combines his work at One Bomb with being carer for his wife.
The 43-year-old said: “It’s absolutely lovely to be nominated for a Your Heroes Award, particularly as it’s come from a parent of a child that we work with.
“We do things out of the goodness of our heart and not for any sort of recognition.”
One Bomb has been nominated as Community Group of the Year and Michael Giblin has been nominated as Charity Champion or Volunteer of the Year.