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Coach Alan Keane, Jimmy Farrell, Head coach Dave Ryan, and Guy Johns |
‘Heart and soul’ of boxing club fights against cancer
Jimmy vows to beat disease by helping club he loves so much
THE man described as the heart and soul of Times Amateur Boxing Club is battling to win the biggest fight of his life after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Club treasurer Jimmy Farrell went back into hospital this week for his latest chemotherapy treatment as he looks to beat the illness once and for all.
The father of three, who lives with his wife just off Caledonian Road, was first told he had cancer in August last year. In true fighting spirit Jim refused to go down for the count, and instead turned his attentions to helping the club that he loves so much.
The 75-year-old, who has been with the boxing club in Copenhagen Street for more than 15 years, set about organising fundraisers and auctions to help raise the money needed to send a team of fighters to a special training camp in Tenerife.
Selling off donated gifts such as signed Arsenal and England shirts, Jim fulfilled his dream in September when the club took a squad of fighters to Spain just before the start of the amateur season. The retreat proved such a success, the team of fighters returned to Tenerife last week for more intense training.
Close friend and head coach at Times ABC Dave Ryan described Jim as the man who makes the club tick. “As soon as he revealed that he had cancer we asked him what he wanted to do, and the first thing he said was that he wanted to get the money together to take a team of boxers abroad so that they could train and learn how to become better fighters. Within six weeks he’d done it.”
Throughout his ongoing battle, Jim is still turning up at the club every Tuesday and Thursday and is refusing to take things easy.
Dave went on to explain how he feels Jim’s love for the club is giving him the strength he needs to keep coming out of his corner with his gloves up.
“He needed something to keep him alive, and the club provided him with that. It gave him something to focus on, and helped take his mind off what was happening away from the ring.
“I remember when he first told me he was ill, he was heartbroken and started crying on my shoulder. I cuddled him and told him he’s not going anywhere, we’ve got too much work to do for the club.
“When he said he was going back in to hospital, we kitted him out in a Times vest and boxing gloves. We fully expect him to come out fighting, and we know this is a fight he’s going to win.”
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