A NEW boxing gym aiming at improving the mental health of people in Southend has opened.

Fight Fit Academy is now offering classes in Victoria Avenue to children and adults of all abilities.

Couple Sarah Clayton and Eric Gamble believe boxing is an “excellent method of building a sense of community” and is offering specific sessions to people who have had struggles with addiction or difficult personal circumstances.

Echo: Girls classes - Fight Fit Academy is open to all age rangesGirls classes - Fight Fit Academy is open to all age ranges (Image: Sarah Clayton)

Co-owner Sarah, 36, said: “Me and Eric have wanted to run a gym forever out of a love of the sport, and we want to pass our knowledge on to both kids and adults.

“I have been boxing for around nine years. I did my first fight with Ultra White-Collar Boxing, who raise money for cancer research.

“I just went on from there and I have run classes with different gyms for years.

“It is good to start young with the sport, but we have worked with people who are 57 or 59 before.”

Echo: Starting young - Eric leading a children’s class Starting young - Eric leading a children’s class (Image: Sarah Clayton)

Sarah and Eric’s daughter is home-educated and the couple are aiming to put on classes for other young children with complex needs, such as ADHD and autism.

“It gives them a sense of community and they get to learn and get stronger,” Sarah added.

Eric, who has been boxing for ten years and doing martial arts for 24, added: “We want to make a community hub, where people can go to get stuck in.

“There is a lot more to boxing and kickboxing than just fighting. There is a mental health element and it really helps people.

“We are working with people this week in and around the area struggling with addiction and we are offering two sides of the sport, something for those who want to fight and those who want to get fitter.”