Inverness Boxing Club puts cancer in the ring and invites D&D sponsored local jogging group to line up and take a punch!
On Saturday 15th July Inverness Boxing Club is opening its doors to D&D Paving sponsored Incredible Feet running club with the aim of encouraging people impacted by cancer to use different forms of exercise as a way to tackle both the physical and psychological effects of serious illness.
The importance of exercise during and after cancer treatment is well documented, helping to reduce tiredness and some treatment side effects, reduce depression and anxiety, strengthen muscles, joints and bones as well as potentially reducing the risk of certain cancers coming back.
With Inverness-based jogging group Incredible Feet the aim is to combine that all important exercise with peer-to-peer support.
Set up in March 2023 by Rebecca O’Hara – who understands some of the challenges of cancer, having recently recovered from breast cancer – Incredible Feet meets twice a week and provides post-cancer support for anyone impacted by cancer through being active and having fun, running in nature and spending time outdoors.
Rebecca thinks the boxing session will be a great opportunity for the group to explore how various forms of exercise can benefit mind and body. She says, “The enthusiasm and support for Incredible Feet has been amazing. Our group members (aptly nicknamed ‘The Incredibles’) have embraced the opportunity to connect with others affected by cancer through a positive activity like jogging. Engaging in physical exercise allows us take control of an aspect of our health, helping us to feel stronger, more resilient and empowered. Being part of a group that can relate to your experiences can reduce feelings of isolation that cancer often creates. The Incredibles are always up for a new challenge or adventure so we’re really looking forward to getting into the boxing ring!”
When Head Coach at Inverness City Boxing Club, Laurie Redfern, (who’s a cancer survivor himself) was approached about the idea of holding a boxing session for people impacted by cancer, he welcomed the idea with open arms seeing it as a chance to both help others but also for him to meet fellow survivors. He said “I never thought I would ever get cancer, I’ve trained since I was 10 so my diagnosis was a real shock but coming here through my treatment and recovery to keep training a bit was a life saver. Coming here, it’s not about sparring in the ring, you work with the punch bags and skipping and shadow boxing. I had to cancel a boxing show I was putting on while I was in treatment, but I said to everyone ‘I have another fight, I’m training for that fight, hopefully I will win, and in the opposite corner is prostate cancer, it’ll have to be fit to beat me!’”
The whole idea of bringing the two clubs together was down to Doug Low who has a foot in both camps.
“Rebeccas vision and passion in bringing Incredible feet jogging together has formed a wonderful family of caring and sharing. I get joy from feeling I’m a part of that.
The boxing club brings that same level of companionship, all that enter through it’s doors from the community having more connections and links from life than they first realise. I’d say it’s as supportive and caring, despite many of them punching lumps out of each other weekly and enjoying it, there is a lot of respect. I’m fortunate enough having been welcomed into the boxing family many years ago, to see it’s a living and breathing sanctuary for all people, with no judgement on anything that may make us different or the same as the next person through the door. I’m merely acting as the minister singing it’s praises, knowing what wonders and escape from absolutely everything it can bring.
Anything that can completely wipe your mind clean from the thoughts of yesterday, today and tomorrow, even for just a few minutes….is totally empowering! Freedom from stress, freedom from worry, freedom from that horrible C word or the chance to punch it’s face in, if that’s the approach you want to take. It’s a great escape….literally.
I’m hoping the folk from Incredible feet will feel the benefit of it’s power and feel refreshed of body and mind.”
Inverness-based broadcaster and writer, Pennie Stuart, who regularly jogs with Incredible Feet, says “Its sometimes really difficult to share and describe the complicated feelings which come with diagnosis. Having a group who understand through shared experience is amazing. I love the idea of heading to the boxing club to take out some of my frustrations over having had cancer on the bag and in the ring. I can’t wait to get the gloves on to show cancer just what I think of it, I’m sure it will be hugely therapeutic!”
If you’ve been impacted by cancer – maybe you’ve had cancer yourself or you’ve supported a friend or family member through illness – why not come and join Incredible Feet for a jog? The group meets on Saturday mornings at 10am and Thursday evenings at 6pm and you’ll find all the details on the Facebook page!
Contact for more info:
Rebecca O’Hara [incredible-feet@outlook.com, 07552 971389]