BOXERS have been cleaning up a town centre to fund a trip to the US.
Members of Spennymoor Boxing Academy have been invited to Chicago's Golden Gloves Boxing Academy at the end of November, to take part in some bouts with their American counterparts.
The Chicago club will accommodate the ten boxers and four coaching staff, but the participants, aged between 12 and 28, need to pay £300 each for flights.
Sedgefield Borough Council has agreed to consider sponsoring one or two of the boxers in return for help from the club in weeding the town centre flower beds and cleaning up the Festival Walk precinct.
The precinct has attracted criticism for its derelict appearance.
Boxing club Paul Hodgson said: "We have been sweeping and tidying up in general. On Sunday, 14 of us spent about five hours there."
Mr Hodgson said that as a gesture of unity with America after its terrorist attack, all the people taking part in the trip will have the American and British flags shaved on the back of their heads.
To sponsor the trip, contact Robert Ellis on 07968 205043.
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