Les Welsh

Les, 51, is Head Coach of the Empire School of Boxing in Blyth.The sign above the door reads, 'all welcome', its the ethos he has been instilled since the club formed in 1992.Les, an advanced ABA coach, runs the self-owned club and works tirelessly to provide the authentic boxing experience for the benefits that boxing conditioning has to offer.The club has a renowned track record for producing accomplished competitors based upon a ethic of constant improvement and now has many junior, adult and ladies teams .The club motto 'we strive for perfection' is a belief that Les instils in his members both inside and outside the ring where he sets out to develop outstanding people first, outstanding boxers second.Despite Blyth's social problems Les has continued to attract local youth to leave their games consoles for the rewards of physical activity by offering a genuine alternative to hanging around on street corners.The club takes part in community initiatives and helps worthy causes by arranging charity events. Les's life was changed in April 2011 when his daughter Julie died moments after giving birth to her son, Isaac.She suffered a fatal amniotic fluid embolism, a condition that affects only 18 in a million people which, in up to 80% of cases, is fatal. She was 28.Les had gained a grandson but lost a cherished daughter. Despite his loss Les still remains as committed as to improving the lives of his boxers whilst fundraising for the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation.