BOXING lessons at a care home have a former Thai boxer’s ‘adrenaline flowing’.

For 65-year-old Chris Shaw, reliving his former glory days in the ring, has brought him out of his shell at Deangate Care Home where he now resides.

Grassroots Sports Academy Yorkshire visits the care home twice a month to deliver fitness sessions - including bean bag warm ups, grip exercises, ball games and boxing.

These sessions were provided for free for 13 weeks and the care home are so impressed that they have continued sessions - and started to pay for them.

The sports academy also provides sessions for ladies, with 90 year old resident Brenda Pratt becoming the unlikely face of boxing.

Since becoming a resident, Chris had been reluctant to leave his room and engage with activities.

However, after just one boxing session his confidence has skyrocketed and he has agreed to take part in care home outings.

Chris’s boxing journey started at only 13 years old, eventually rising to compete as a professional Thai boxer, retiring from the sport at 22.

Previously, Chris chose not to take part in care home activities, preferring to keep to himself.

However, he fondly remembers his time boxing and was eager to get involved in a session.

He said: “My adrenaline was flowing.

“I enjoyed it and I got some sweet hand gear too.

“I’d definitely give it a go again.”

Rachael Addy, activity co-ordinator at Deangate Care Home, said: “The mental health benefits are the biggest rewards for the residents.

“Residents who engage in these activities show better cognition, interact more with other residents and show an improvement in mood.

“They look forward to these sessions because they’ve gotten to know faces and they know who is coming.

“We wouldn’t have anybody but Grassroots delivering these sessions.”