Boxing academy mural honours founder

The Seconds Out Boxing Academy in Ferryhill unveils a lasting tribute to its founder, Paul Eddy, in honour of his homage within the community, writes volunteer community journalist Rhys Toomey.

Neve Lawson, lifetime boxer and now head coach at the gym, received the privilege of painting the mural.

“I was given a very special task to do in the gym this week, and it was something I immediately said yes to,” she said. “I had the honour of painting a mural of my mentor, Paul.

“From the first sketch to the final highlights, every brush stroke has been a labour of love.”

Paul opened the gym’s doors in 2012 as the first ever boxing gym in Ferryhill, bringing the community together for over a decade.

“When we first opened, everyone piled in,” said Nicola Eddy, Paul’s wife.

“The Leisure Centre was about to be shut down with houses potentially built on it, and Paul just said ‘I can’t let that building go to rocks and rubble’ and that was how we opened the boxing gym.”

Despite Paul sadly passing away last November, the mural acts as a reminder of his legacy and doubles as a sign that his gym will continue to live on.

“We are still here; the gym is thriving, we just have to keep going and keep it up there for everyone to see. We’re here, and we’re here to stay,” said Mrs Eddy.

Paul wasn’t just a founder of the gym; “he was a man of many talents with a heart of gold,” said Mrs Eddy.

Paul took up many charitable endeavours that both highlighted his natural talent as an artist and his “good-hearted” nature.

“He would paint boxing gloves and sell them all over the world,” said Mrs Eddy.

“They were also signed by boxers such as Franklin Bruno, Tyson Fury, Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson, and Floyd Mayweather, and sent with a photograph for authentication.”

Paul didn’t just leave a mark on those who entered his gym but on those who frequent Town Hall as well.

He was tasked in February 2022 to paint a mural that illustrates Ferryhill’s history as a mining community, and asked Neve to be his partner in the creation of ‘Embracing our Past.’

“It was absolutely amazing,” said Neve. “The opportunities I’ve had because of him were unbelievable.”

Paul also worked tirelessly with Zoey McGill to join her fight against knife violence and the laws surrounding them in support of her son, Jack Woodley, who tragically fell victim to knife crime.

“He used to work a lot with her and the community to start to get the knife amnesty boxes around places,” said Mrs Eddy.

The Knife Angel sculpture in Newton Aycliffe was also installed by their aid on June 1st 2025, to honour those fatally injured by knives while acting as a prevention symbol.

“He was a man of the community. He brought everyone together so that the boxing gym wasn’t just his, it was for everybody,” she said.

Paul always lent an ear to those who entered his gym, and his compassion even saved people’s lives.

“He wasn’t just a coach; he was a confidant: giving advice and helping a few kids that were attending the gym,” she said.

“We’re not just a parent-coach kind of thing; we’ve made families with them.”

Paul also worked with the Youth Offending Team, now known as the Youth Justice Service, to help educate adolescents on how to positively change their lives and steer them away from committing crime.

“One of Paul’s things is,” said Mrs Eddy, “if you’re going to roam the streets and cause trouble, you should get into the boxing gym and make something for yourself.

“It’s all about discipline, it’s about looking after yourself, healthy eating, it’s good for the mind and body, having a nice routine and that’s what he wanted to do.”

Neve also remembers fondly how much her mentor meant to her over the years.

“He always made me laugh,” she said. “If I came in with a problem, he would always give me a hug and say, ‘Come here, let’s speak about it.’

“He’s mentored me throughout my whole life; I wouldn’t be me without him.

“The respect I have for people, I see things in a different way, and that’s just exactly like how he taught us, and I will carry that forever.”

Neve is a veteran at the gym and has been with the team since she was seven years old.

Now she runs her own classes, such as Little Thumpers, designed for children aged 4-7.

The gym operates Monday through Friday, with great inclusivity for people with disabilities, women’s-only, and junior/senior sessions.

“Everyone’s accepted here no matter what,” said Mrs Eddy.

“If they can’t do a specific exercise, we’ll change it for their needs; everything is structured for everybody,” said Neve.

Although Paul can no longer carry out the gym himself, his torch has been passed to his wife and children, Regan, Danya, Denver, and stepson Niall, who have bright futures ahead of them.

“It’s nice to know that we are still here and Paul is not forgotten about in any way, shape, or form.

“He was a great man from a great background.

“He thought about each and every child that came through that door,” said Mrs Eddy and now it’s his kids’ turn.

“This is their legacy now, Neve’s, and the rest of the coaches.”