A MARTIAL arts expert has said his first year running a charity boxing gym has been a knockout

Matt Inskip, owner of Toe2Toe gym in Holywell, wrapped up another successful free summer bootcamp at his not-for-profit facility.

Video by Beth Hughes

Youngsters from all over Flintshire took part in the six week sessions, aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, and supporting families who struggle to find affordable activities for their children in the summer holidays.

Matt said: "I'd like to say thanks to Tesco for supporting us with their Bags of Help scheme. The grant means that we're able to do this, and help kids have a healthier summer. It's been a big success and I'm looking forward to the next one.

"The kids have definitely benefited this year, and some of them have even joined the gym and other sessions as a result. They're all starting to progress.

"We still give them fruit as snacks and bottles of water to promote healthy eating, which is really important."

The ring was filled with smiling mini-boxers on Thursday's last boot camp sessions, with parents proudly looking on at their confident tots.

One Greenfield mother, Eloise Welch, said: "It's been great this summer. With the school holidays being six weeks, some parents can't afford activities and it's kept them fit and healthy. They've really enjoyed it and made new friends."

Juliann Thomas, another mother, said the sessions are interesting for her twin boys, and helps grow their confidence.

It's always been Matt's ambition to encourage children to take part in martial arts from the moment he registered as a charity in November 2016, before receiving the keys for the building in January 2017.

The builder - and martial arts expert - put over 1,000 hours into renovating the building from a former county library to a state-of the-art gym accessible for all ages, as well as those with disabilities.

A year on from opening his dream organisation, Matt looks back over another successful summer and year as a whole.

Matt believes the gym has gone from strength to strength, with more people travelling from areas such as Deeside and Flint, to use the site which is "professional, with excellent equipment" according to celebrity fighter and former Hollyoaks actor, Alex Reid.

Matt added: "One of our other key aims is to include children with behaviour problems to improve their confidence, wellbeing and self esteem."

One mother who has hailed Matt a hero is Sharon Edwards, of Connah's Quay, who has struggled with her six-year-old son's behaviour for years.

She said: "As soon as he started going to Matt, we saw a response. Matt is dealing with him amazingly. It doesn't seem like there is any other help out there. There's nothing else like this around.

"I can phone Matt at any time and say 'look I think Joel is about to start' and Matt responds instantly. I feel there is no other safe environment for him other than this."

Miss Edwards believes Matt needs more recognition for "what he does" and for being so open to challenge, educate, and work with a child like Joel.