‘It’s bittersweet that there’s so many people who need it’, the former boxer told us
Hundreds of families in Hull have been given a big boost ahead of the new school year – thanks to former boxer Tommy Coyle ’s annual free giveaway. Tommy first hosted a free school uniform giveaway in 2020, by offering the uniforms to those were struggling to afford them in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Hundreds of parents lined the streets close to Tommy’s gym in Geneva Way five years ago in an act of community and charity that made the boxer feel “very happy” to be able to give back to the area. Since then, Tommy’s Free School Uniform Project has become an annual event, offering a lifeline for hard-pressed households who are battling rising costs.
When he first launched his personal campaign in 2020, Tommy told us how he used the profits he made during lockdown from his fruit and veg business to go on a uniform shopping spree at Asda, filling trolleys full of school uniforms ready to hand out.
At the time, he said: “I’ve done reasonably well with boxing and the city has supported me in victory and defeat. I’m mindful of the many people that have helped me in my career and I’m indebted to the city and like to give back with events like this. It made me feel very happy giving to people and making a difference with the uniforms and seeing the smiles on the families’ faces.
“My mum and dad hated this time of year, with four kids in the end. It’s so expensive kitting the kids out with uniforms and they grow so fast. I went to get some uniforms for my team and there was a big queue of people trying to buy uniforms.
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“I phoned the missus and asked if she got our kids uniforms and asked out of interest how much it was. When she told me I thought, how do parents afford this if they have got three or four kids to buy for, on the back of a pandemic, where they might not have received full wages or have probably been made redundant.”
Tommy teamed up with TransWaste, Cranswick Foods and MKM, with an additional donation from Hatfields Land Rover, to deliver around 3,000 pieces of uniform through the Coyle Sports Community this week, opening the doors at his gym at 11am on Wednesday to let in the huge queues of families lined up outside.
He said: “It was fantastic, it was as busy as it was last year. And this morning we did a visit to deliver some uniforms for those that couldn’t get on a bus or didn’t have any transport, so it was a great.
“It’s a bittersweet one really because it’s great that we reach so many families – just shy of 3,000 pieces of uniform have been handed out – but it’s bittersweet that there’s so many people who need it. It was a great day, a big success. And it wouldn’t have been possible without TransWaste recycling, Cranwick and MKM, who have donated and supported it – and thanks to my brothers as well. We’ve all chipped in a few quid from our foundation.
“Together we made a difference yesterday. It’s a bittersweet one, but we’ll be there every year. I honestly can’t thank people like TransWaste enough – for five years these guts have never said no once, and they make a considerable donation. Same for Cranswick and MKM.
“I know it’s my name all over this, but it’s important that all those who support it get the recognition too. I don;t want people to think this is all me – I’ve got some good partners that make this happen.
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