Donation To 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
Soldiers from Colchester Garrison will be boxing clever thanks to the donation of £3,000 of kit.
The donation to 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was organised by Olympic boxing referee Billy Phillips and supported by Essex Auto Group.Mr Phillips presented the equipment which consisted of:
- Punch bags
- Gloves
- Head guards
To the PARA’s commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Adam Dawson at Merville Barracks.
Lt Col Dawson said: “Boxing is central to the Parachute Regiment, developing the courage, self-belief, determination and discipline that underpin what we do.
“It is fantastic to have this equipment donated to our boxing team and I would like to thanks Mr Phillips and the Essex Auto Group for their generosity.”
2nd Para hope the kit will finally give them the edge over fellow soldiers in the 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment. 3rd Para have been crowned army boxing champions for seven of the past ten years having not entered for the other three due to operations.
Lt Col Dawson said: “The long road to winning the Army boxing competition next year starts here.
“With the quality of boxers we have in 2 PARA I am certain we can deliver the results that this equipment deserves.”
The donation came about after Mr Phillips was approached for help by boxing coach Kirk McLaughlin, whose son Lance Corporal Kirk McLaughlin serves with 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment.
Mr Phillips, who refereed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is from Hornchurch, said: “It is a privilege for me to have helped get this equipment for the soldiers, who deserve the best of everything.
“We on Civvy Street truly appreciate how soldiers put their lives on the line for this country and are all very proud of them.”
Car dealership Essex Auto Group, who has 5 dealers across Essex, paid for the equipment.
