Show goes on, despite Cumbrian tragedy

ROYTON boxer John Newell fought at Whitehaven Boxing Club on Friday night — 100yd away from the taxi rank where Derrick Bird claimed two of his victims.

Bird went on the rampage, killing 12 people before turning the gun on himself.

Just 48 hours after the horrendous murders, North Chadderton School pupil John (16) and his dad Tony arrived at the club.

Tony said: “I was very surprised the show wasn’t cancelled, to be honest. The boxing club is 100yd away from the taxi rank where two people were shot dead.

“Obviously it was all anyone was talking about — there was just a sense of shock and disbelief.

“Whitehaven is a beautiful place and it’s an absolute tragedy that it’s been hit by such a horrible act.”

Despite a few raised eyebrows at the decision to press on with the show, in which John won his bout, Tony believes it actually brought people closer together.

He added: “The atmosphere inside the venue was very good, I think people rallied round because even though something terrible had happened, it gave people something else to focus on for a short while.”