YOUNGSTERS swapped their boxing gloves for cycling shorts and crash helmets to raise around £600 for new equipment at Irlam Amateur Boxing Academy.

Sixteen Irlam Amateur Boxing Academy members aged between 10 and 16 cycled for 50 miles from the club to Blackpool.

They took it in turns to ride the nine bicycles while the others took a well earned breather in the support mini bus following the cyclists.

They were accompanied by the Liverpool Road gym’s boxing coaches Gary Booth and Liam Nazaripour plus Booth’s wife Karen and volunteer parent Craig Breen.

And after completing the cycle relay in just over six hours, the youngsters had a fun evening at Blackpool Pleasure Beach before spending the night under canvas at Highbank Farm, Poulton Le Fylde.

Organiser Gary Booth said: "As well as raising funds for the gym, the cycle ride and camping was also about team building and keeping fit. The youngsters are all committed to their boxing and to be able to give them a rewarding, yet physically hard challenge, was just brilliant."

Thirteen-year-old Callum Higham, who took part in the challenge, said: "We all had a really good time. The cycling was hard and I am really glad we got a lift back in the morning but we had a right laugh at Blackpool and at the farm where we camped."