The Ballykeel-based club hosted a very successful charity boxing event and open night in January and the proceeds of the event have been used to sponsor the Big Bus cancer-screening unit.

The bus will be parked at the Braid club this Thursday, May 20, where it will carry out essential screening for the local community.

Braid ABC will also be open for light refreshments and can be used for visitors to wait until called.

Braid head coach John McLeister says: “We believe it to be our moral obligation to champion a charitable cause each year, these types of events are great learning experiences for the boys who core training for sport is about fitness and health.

“We encourage our team to be fully aware of the dangers of ill health and by asking them to champion a cause such as this creates awareness alongside the achievements of helping others.

“We hope that everyone can take advantage of this and appreciate the dedication and commitment of the boxing club members.”

The Braid Boxing season is almost drawing to a close after an outstanding year both in and out of the ring.

“The club has swelled in membership and has placed its footing well and truly among the best in Ireland. We have travelled the length and breadth of the country competing at various boxing events and each outing the boys have presented themselves impeccably and have represented the borough of Ballymena with pride.

“Indeed two of our young boxers Anthony O'Rawe and Nicholas McIlroy have been asked to take part in a training weekend with a team of Scottish champion boxers.

There are still some club shows that we will be competing in and we look forward to another successful season of competitive boxing commencing in August,” added John.