Shropshire's Paddy KO'd by actors' praise
Hollywood stars Vin Diesel and Jason Statham have been among those heaping praise on a boxing centre after it received the highest honour available to volunteers.
The Paddy Brennan Boxing Academy and Fitness Centre, located between Ludlow and Tenbury Wells, received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for volunteer groups – for helping more than 2,000 young people. The award was presented at a ceremony yesterday to the delight of the man after whom the centre is named.
Martin "Paddy" Brennan, 53, said: "When I learned we had won this award I was stunned. I thought, 'These sort of things don't happen to people like us'.
"To have the award ceremony attended by the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff of Worcester, MPs and the Police High Commissioner was amazing. I have also been contacted by Vin Diesel and Jason Statham, both of whom wanted to congratulate us on winning the award."