Former boxing champ grateful to supporters of his Christmas in the Community 2025 initiative
Hull’s former boxing champion Tommy Coyle hopes to share the “magic of Christmas ” with hundreds of struggling families. With a day free from his current role playing the evil King Rat, in Bridlington Spa’s Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington, Tommy will be doing a good turn instead for local people who might otherwise be going without this festive season.
Tommy is running his annual Christmas in the Community initiative, on Thursday, December 18, from 11am to 2pm. Outside his TC60 gym, in Humber Street, Tommy and helpers will be handing out free toys, food and “all the trimmings” to give people in need a Christmas.
“We’ve got fruit and veg, joints of meat, toys and presents, all the things anyone needs to share in the magic of Christmas,” said Tommy. “Everyone is supposed to believe in Father Christmas, right?
“I don’t believe any young kid should wake up on Christmas morning to nothing. It’s nice for me to be able to help keep the magic of Christmas alive – last year we helped about 400 families and this year I’d say we have enough to help 500 families – and we always get queues. It’s bittersweet – sweet because it’s good to give that help at Christmas but bitter because so many need support.
“It’s tough out there at the minute, with all the cuts, and we do what we can to help. People don’t have to prove anything, they only need to be in real need, turn up and we will be there for them.”
Tommy, who has posted about the event on social media, added: “It’s about the parents coming down to get what they need and to create the magic for their kids. I couldn’t do this without the great support I have for Christmas in the Community.”
Helping to provide the Christmas giveaway, spearheaded by Coyle Health & Wellbeing, are sponsors Transwaste, Cranswick, MKM, Pagabo, Centrica Energy Storage Plus and Nikkie West and family. Tommy said: “I’ve also just had confirmation that the Dame from our panto, Joe Standerline, is going to come and help out on Thursday, all dressed up, to make it special.”
The community good guy, who also runs an annual school uniform giveaway to help hard-pressed Hull families, was cast as the baddie in Dick Whittington earlier this year, his first time performing in panto. The curtain went up on the first live performance last Friday (December 12).
Tommy said: “It’s going well. It was really daunting and I was nervous last week but I have eased into it.
“I’m into showbiz now! Everyone I’m working with has been great, the cast are great, it’s been fun. There are going to be 600 kids out there this morning for a show that I’m just getting ready for.”
Tommy previously said he had never done any acting but had always loved movies, the theatre and music, and live events. When he was cast as King Rat, he said: “When you get an opportunity like that, you go for it – I’m all about new experiences in life.
“I’ve had some tough opponents in my time, but taking on the role of King Rat might just be my biggest challenge yet. I can’t wait to bring some fun (and maybe a little bit of mischief) to Bridlington Spa this Christmas.”
Dick Whittington runs at Bridlington Spa until January 4, 2026.