Boxers at a gym bravely took on a half marathon while fasting in Ramadan in aid of Palestine.

Premier Boxing Gym in the Haugh hosted the run which saw the likes of boxers Samir Aftab and Rico Walsh run while fasting from sunrise to sunset.

The boxers and other members of the community came together for the challenge on Tuesday, April 9 and set off at 4.30pm outside the gym.

It took the fastest runners around two hours to complete the half marathon.

Samir said: “The run was really tough but what spurred us on is the community and I am happy that we completed it and it’s over and done with.

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“From the start we all met at the gym, and everyone was lingering about so we did some stretches and got warmed up.

“Then Ras, our coach, came with the Palestine t-shirts and we got a briefing from him about staying together and a motivational talk.

“We head off after that and about 10k in I was thinking this was easy, but after than we did 15k, and then it hit us like a brick wall, and I do not even remember it after that.

“I just kept running and running and it was twice as hard while fasting but so glad we did it.”

Samir, Rico, fellow boxers Sahir Iqbal and Ibrahim Kola, and TikTok influencers Ginty, Josh and Sibu, were among the runners.

Mohammed Baghdadi Khan, a member of community and a sponsor of the event, stayed with the team with other sponsors Bee Crown Recruitment, Naughty Boy Fightwear, and BW Accounting Solutions.

Samir said: “It was mine and Rico’s idea and we were always saying it so one day we just said we’re doing it.

“In Ramadan it’s the month of giving so with what’s going on in Palestine, it goes hand in hand with this.

“It’s a good way to bring the community together and bring everyone under one roof.

“I am proud that Premier Boxing are doing this and proud to represent them and the community.

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“It was not hard convincing everyone and as soon as we told them they were all asking to do it.”

Physios were on hand to ensure the safety of all runners.

All of the money raised will go to Palestine.

Samir said: “We ran in a good time and we thought we would be slower than that but it was alright.

“It’s so important that people know what is going on and the reason we did it was because it was tough and wanted to spread the awareness of it and that is why it was so important to us.

“It’s such a good cause. It’s been all over the news and the challenge itself is tough and people are commending us and wanted to get involved and had 62 donations already contributed moneywise.

“We have raised over £2k."