HARVEY Groarke has been overcoming challenges and hurdles all his life so it came as no surprise to those who know him best when he scored a magnificent achievement recently.

The 23-year-old, an unsung hero at Hook & Jab Boxing, Fitness and Community Gym who has undergone and awaits multiple surgeries, has become a deliverer of the GB Boxing tutor award.

Harvey, formerly of Orford and now lives in Rixton, is the first person with a disability to complete and pass a course for the recognised qualification.

England Boxing coach Quinton ‘Q’ Shillingford MBE, who carries out this programme, was impressed with Harvey’s knowledge within the sport.

Thanks to his success, he helps to coach within the facility. Harvey can teach boxing skills and run sessions and is always enthusiastic in helping his parents Amanda and Derek, who own the gym.

“He made so many friends during this course, all treating him like any other participant,” said Amanda, a qualified boxing tutor who supported her son on the course although he did not require much help.

“Harvey is a valued member of our gym who is now running sessions within Hook & Jab on Thursday mornings with a group of students from an autistic school, as well as a Friday afternoon session with special education needs college Willow Green.

“Everyone at Hook & Jab Boxing Gym is extremely proud of Harvey, giving SEN students as well as other young people the opportunity to achieve this qualification of bronze, silver, gold boxing tutor awards.

“Hook & Jab have worked with people with disabilities for 30 years and pride themselves with encouraging and promoting inclusion, boxing bringing communities together at its best.”

Harvey has needed a lot of support with his health over the years but does not let anything get in the way of his sporting love.

Amanada said: “Harvey was born with Down’s syndrome, with a serious heart defect, plus only one heart valve instead of two upper.

“He underwent open-heart surgery at four months old when they closed three of the holes in his heart ¬- he had no centre wall in his heart, the large hole was in the centre of all four chambers -and separated one heart valve into two.

“Harvey has also had a number of surgeries on his esophagus, suffering serious choking episodes, being hospitalised on numerous occasions.

“He has a heart defect requiring more open-heart surgery, where he requires a heart valve replacement.

“He’s also currently awaiting major surgery in his middle ear, although nothing stops him.

“Boxing has helped him to not only lose weight but to get him extra fit, all being beneficial to his health.

“Nothing holds him down for long. As soon as the specialists give him the ok, he’s straight back in the gym.

“We have always supported Harvey to achieve anything and everything he wants to achieve.

“He trains with all the competitive boxers within Hook & Jab, as well as in the keep fit classes. He inspires everyone within the gym.

“Harvey also helps to coach and is often seen on the boxing circuit in the corner with his mum and dad.

“He’s helped to warm up boxers before they compete and is a valuable member of the team.

“Our gym is a place where everyone is welcome and Harvey has broken down barriers that other gyms are unable to.

“He’s a funny character within the gym who remembers everyone’s name. Harvey also has the autism diagnosis, so again every day is a challenge, but he continues to break barriers.

“Harvey has struggled with everyday motor skills, lats muscle, communication and coordination, however boxing has helped him so much, both physically and mentally.”

He has been part of the furniture at Hook & Jab since two weeks old when his mum returned to the gym after giving birth.

So it is no wonder he has achieved as much as he has with 23 years experience in boxing.

“He watches and studies boxing every day. The knowledge he has is unbelievable,” said Amanda.

“Not a day goes by when he’s not asking, what time is boxing?

“He’s an inspiration and role model. He will continue delivering the boxing tutor award and hopefully inspire others to follow.”