“But I also feel that despite Parkinson’s, I am learning something new. It gets my brain, eyes, arms, and legs working in unison. I can still do things mentally and physically, and that gives me reassurance.“

The benefits of boxing training for Parkinson’s suffers is well documented.

A growing body of evidence is revealing the sport improves balance, co-ordination, and agility – all things that diminish with the progression of the condition – as well as strength and fitness in all age groups.

It is for these reasons well known East Yorkshire farmer, Richard Longthorp, decided to take up the sport in his late 60s.

Now, he says the hour he spends at St Paul’s Boxing Academy in Hull is the highlight of his week.

“I have always taken the view that you use it or lose,” says Richard.

“But with Parkinson’s it is different. It’s about getting my brain to learn things in a different way to how it would have done pre-Parkinson’s because I know the condition is progressing and I want to slow it down as much as possible.”

Richard first noticed something was wrong in his early 60s when he found his right hand had started to tremble during routine activities such as shaving and brushing his teeth.

Two years later he was diagnosed with the degenerative condition, which he admits neither shocked nor depressed him.

“I felt no emotion about it,” he said.

“It had more initial impact on family and friends, I think.”

His interest in boxing training came about after a chance meeting with Mike Bromby last year, while helping to establish a new boxing club in Goole.

On hearing of his condition, Mike invited him to train at St Paul’s to see if it would help alleviate some of the symptoms. Richard, then 68, jumped at the chance and found himself in the gym a week later.

He said: “The most frustrating thing for me about Parkinson’s is that the brain tells the body to do something but the body refuses.

“The classic example is a computer mouse. My brain says click the button but my finger says no. It’s the same with the voice. My brain says to my voice box say these words but the voice box refuses.

“But when Mike is shouting numbers at me – 1,2,6, etc – it acts as a tigger for me to throw a punch. I can’t always do that by myself.

“It gives my brain some control back over the body. I don’t know how it works, but it does.”

Richard added that whereas he doesn’t forget about his Parkinson’s during training sessions, it does help him to live with the condition.

“It’s always with me frustrating the hell out of me,” he said.

“But I also feel that despite Parkinson’s, I am learning something new. It gets my brain, eyes, arms, and legs working in unison. I can still do things mentally and physically, and that gives me reassurance.

“I appreciate that boxing might not be for everyone but give it a try, you might be surprised. I find it good for the body, good for the brain, and good for the soul.”

Although St Paul’s Boxing Academy and in particular Mike Bromby are having a huge impact on Richard’s wellbeing, he also praises the wider work the club does with the community.

Richard supported the club in its recent £1m refurbishment via the work he does with the Rotary Club of Howden.

He said: “St Paul’s has a family ethos about it. I see people coming in one way and leaving different.

“When you’re put through your paces and push yourself physically and mentally, and you get respect in that family environment, it builds strength, character and self-discipline.

“People realise if they can achieve something in the gym, they can do the same in real life, and that is incredibly powerful.

“Mike and St Paul’s really help to change lives.”