Church boxing class helping with personal battles

Ben Cookson (left) said he has not touched drugs or alcohol since he first went to Exeter's St David's Church four years ago

A former homeless man who "smashed his life to bits" said church and boxing have turned his life around.

Ben Cookson runs free boxing fitness classes - known as Fitter for Faith sessions - every Wednesday at St David's Church in Exeter.

The 50-year-old became homeless after turning to drugs in his mid-30s when he lost his business, but said he had overcome addiction after going to the church for the first time four years ago.

He said he used boxing sessions at the church to reach out to people battling addiction and break down barriers.

Mr Cookson said: "People don't openly want to talk to a random stranger about their trauma, or the shame or guilt they might carry.

"What the boxing does is it that it builds a relationship, and then when I share some of my experience with people they really open up."

Ben Cookson said he "smashed his life to bits" after turning to cocaine in his mid-30s

Mr Cookson, who has run the Fitter for Faith at the church for two years, said the church and the boxing sessions had a positive impact on people, including himself.

"The recession came [after the 2008 financial crash], I lost my house, my business, my family and in my mid-30s, I turned to cocaine for the first time," he said.

"I basically went on a 10-year bender and just smashed my life to bits and ended up homeless.

"Since the day I came to church, I've never touched drugs or alcohol – that's four years."

The vicar at St David's Church, Reverend Mike Clark, said there was "no judgement" of people attending the fitness sessions and people could explore faith if they wanted to.

"I just think it's amazing what Ben is doing bringing in such a variety of people," Mr Clark said.

"Boxing is not something I'd have ever thought about doing in a church but I can see how it enables him to connect with people."

The Fitter for Faith classes are also for people who want to improve their health

Along with people fighting addiction, the Fitter for Faith sessions are also open to those who want to improve their health.

Moira Dale, 74, attends the classes regularly and said doing boxing made her "feel good".

"If it's doing that for me, what is it doing for these other young people," she said.

"It's teaching them discipline, control, and everything else like that. It's just the best thing."