A BOXING and fitness gym which has dedicated itself to helping good causes following the owner's return after suffering a stroke will host its final charity workout of the year

Gary Crickson, from Forge Fitness & Boxing based in Rainhill, returned to work three months after suffering a sudden stroke aged 43 in October 2018.

He stepped up his commitment to charity work by starting a weekly initiative which supports causes including Friends – Play for Disabled Children and The Hope Centre Foodbank.

Gary's wife Lisa, family and friends had rallied round to help keep the gym going during his recovery.

Upon his return, Gary has dedicated himself to stepping up his commitment to charity work

The gym has held The Big Chipper since early spring 2019 and has collected more than 666kg of food donations for The Hope Centre and hundreds of pounds for charity Friends- Play for Disabled Children.

Gary said: “The spirit of the members of our gym who support us makes me proud.

"They are not only local to Rainhill, but from all over Liverpool and together we continue to help great causes for our local charities.

"Our Annul Christmas Cracker Appeal took place which generated donations to buy Christmas toys and gift for the children’s ward, at Whiston Hospital – this has been running since 2014, with the exception of last year due to my ill health so this year has been extra special!”

He added: “Forge is renowned for being an especially welcoming gym, where teamwork is the ethos of our sessions, new comers never feel like new comers for long as the team soon take them under their wing! ”

‘The Big Chipper’ is open to all ages and abilities. Admission is £3 per person which goes to Friends – Play for Disabled Children, and for any item off the weekly food bank list issued by The Hope Centre which can be found on Forge's Facebook and Instagram pages.