Fundraising bid for gym destroyed in fire

It is believed Twins Academy was targeted by arsonists

A bid to raise £25,000 has been launched after a boxing gym was badly damaged in what police believe was an arson attack.

The blaze broke out at Twins Academy, in Trimdon, in the early hours of last Wednesday completely destroying its roof.

Crews from County Durham and Darlington Fire Brigade spent more than five hours battling the blaze at the former Methodist church.

Gym sponsor Adam Smith, who is trying to raise money to replace destroyed equipment, said the gym had "lost everything inside".

Durham Police said it was treating the blaze as an arson attack.

The academy was opened eight years ago by Jordan Williams, who named it after his twin girls.

Kai Richmond said going to the academy six days a week had helped him "grow as a person"

Kai Richmond was the first professional boxer Mr Williams trained and he said the gym had "changed his life".

"It's helped me grow obviously as a fighter but as a person as well.

"Jordan's not just been a coach, but like one of my best friends and he's taught me a lot in my life, not just boxing.

"To see this happen to him and his livelihood is just deeply upsetting."

He said the gym owner had lost sentimental items including shorts he wore for his first fight.

Mr Smith said everything inside the gym had been lost including boxing bags, the boxing ring and memorabilia including belts won in competitions.

He added: "It's Jordan's livelihood on the line, he's put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into the last eight years of his life."

Adam Smith is trying to raise money to replace gym equipment