FEMALE boxers are tackling a gruelling challenge to support survivors of domestic abuse and their families.

A women-only boxing club is mounting an eight-hour Boxathon in aid of Cheshire Without Abuse.

Revenge Boxing Cheshire will be staging their charity event at the Boxing Fit Academy gym in Lostock Community Centre on Saturday.

A team of 25 boxers have been following a punishing training schedule to improve their strength and stamina for this amazing feat of endurance.

Head coach Elly Hamilton, from Rudheath, said: "I could not be more proud of this group of women undertaking an eight-hour challenge of boxing for an incredible cause.

Northwich Guardian:

Revenge Boxing Cheshire members Kerry Dunn, Samantha Johnson, Elly Hamilton (coach) and Sally Powell preparing for their Boxathon

"These ladies are taking the additional training in their stride and haven't complained once at the actual enormity of what we'll soon be carrying out. I seriously believe women are the stronger sex."

Their efforts have already raised £2,334 to support the CWA Northwich refuge, which looks after families who have fled violence and abuse.

The charity offers one to one practical and emotional support and helps women to rebuild their self esteem so they can reach their full potential.

Volunteers provide advice and legal clinics and a range of groups offering recovery and support as well as a counselling service and specialist children's programmes.

Elly said: "There is no government funding for CWA and all of the staff are volunteers doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. We want to raise enough funds to help keep the staff doing what they do.

"It's about raising awareness as well, for all victims. men are on the receiving end of domestic abuse as well and CWA helps to give everyone a platform to say: 'I need help, I need somewhere to go'.

"People have been so generous, it's been unbelievable."

Elly started the boxing club in January 2018 to help other women after the sport enabled her to conquer her own struggles.

"I had suffered with post-partem illness (a form of post natal depression) four years ago and boxing was my therapy - it was my way out," she said.

"I wanted to give back to other women who had suffered the same sort of thing and other adversities as well.

"I had done boxing from being a child."

More than 200 members have now joined classes which run on Monday mornings, Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.

The boxathon idea evolved from the club's first birthday in January.

"I wanted to do something to celebrate that wasn't a normal night out, but something to give back to the community," said Elly,.

"I looked into different charities and CWA was the one that really stuck out to me.

"They are local and some of our members have been affected by issues like domestic abuse in one way or another.

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"We are just going to go all in and go for it - we are committed and training is well underway."

To donate visit justgiving.com/revengeboxing.