FIREFIGHTERS from Edmonton have presented new training equipment to an amateur boxing club.

A small speed ball – known as a peanut ball – was donated to the Edmonton Eagles head coach Costakis Evangelou by Edmonton fire station watch manager Mark Jordan and firefighter Ed Haines.

The peanut ball, which is used to increase rhythm and hand-eye coordination, was funded with money raised by firefighters during the boxing club’s punch-a-million day in May.

The day was a successful effort for club members to throw a million punches in order to raise funds and mark the refurbishment of the Montagu Recreation Ground-based gym.

Mr Jordan is keen for Edmonton fire station to integrate with the local community beyond emergency call outs.

“There are several members of Edmonton fire station that use the club on a regular basis,” he said. “The punch-a-million event gave us a great opportunity to provide the face of the local fire station to the community that we serve and protect daily.”

Mr Evangelou said: “It will add to the excellent facilities for the young people to enjoy. This partnership reflects that the club is not just a boxing club. It has also become an essential place for community and bridge building between young people, their families and different organisations such as the fire brigade and police.”

More than 200 youngsters from the age of nine attend sessions at the Edmonton Eagles Amateur Boxing Club. Graduates include brothers Chris and Andreas Evangelou, who have since turned professional.