Teacher turns boxer for school

Andy Morgan is prepared to fight for his school

A Carmarthenshire head teacher helped raise funds for better equipment for his school - by stepping into the boxing ring.

Andy Morgan, head of Penygroes primary in Carmarthenshire, west Wales, took part in an exhibition bout in London's East End on Thursday night.

The contest ended in a draw but the school should be the winner with Mr Morgan hoping to have raised hundreds of pounds to buy a set of digital cameras.

He hit on the idea when he realised the school budget would not stretch far enough and decided to swap his shirt and tie for boxing gloves in a sponsored bout in London's Bethnal Green.

This is not the first time he has chosen an unusual way of raising cash for his school.

Mr Morgan has cycled stages of the Tour de France and taken part in the London Marathon and Great North Run, but he admits this latest challenge is his sternest test yet.

"I've had to lose half a stone and I've been training three times a week, working with weights and sparring in the gym," he said.

'Psychology' training

He has also got advice from his brother-in-law, former Wales rugby union international Steve Williams.

"He's been helping with the psychology - preparing for a fight and preparing for Jonah Lomu, there are a lot of similarities there, basically 'run and get out of the way!'

"We desperately need digital cameras and I'm also raising money for Macmillan Nurses, who do a lot of good work in the communty."

Andy also hopes he will set an example to his pupils outside the ring.

"The message is very clear, boxing is licensed and controlled in the ring with a referee and this is what it should be, not fighting in the school yard or in the street."