Skip to keep fit, Sheffield children advised by boxing champ

Mr Jones is an ambassador for Yorkshire-based national charity Heart Research UK.

The children joined in skipping sessions with the former champ.

Figures show that just 21 per cent of boys and 16 per cent of girls aged five to 15 in the UK meet recommended levels of physical activity, which is at least 60 minutes a day.

Sheffield-born Silky Jones, who won the world light middleweight title in 1995, said: “It’s so important to start good healthy lifestyle habits when you are young because they will last you for a lifetime.

“It’s been fantastic working with the children at Springvale School who have really enjoyed going through the exercises and understand the importance of keeping fit to maintain a healthy heart.”

He continued: “There are so many ways that children can be active, and skipping is a simple, low-cost but effective way of getting fit. It helped me to keep fit during my career and now it is good to be able to share its benefits with young people.”

Springvale Head Teacher, Andy Platt, said: “We were thrilled to welcome and work alongside Paul Silky Jones at Springvale Primary School.

“Fostering an enthusiasm and positive attitude towards living a healthy lifestyle and taking regular exercise is a value we hope to instil in our pupils.

“We are supported by many coaches already, leading to a range of sporting opportunities and tournaments. We are currently developing our playtimes to include a greater variety and choice of activity.

“Seeing a professional champion boxer demonstrate his skipping skills and share his abilities with us was a motivating experience and could spur on our young generation.”