After a video of a young boy being bullied was shared online, a professional boxer stepped in to help him.
12-year-old Daniel Edmondson, from Deepdale, Lancashire, was bullied by a group of teenagers in Preston’s Moor Park. He was repeatedly punched in the face and back by one of the teenagers when he tried to escape.
The shocking footage was shared on Facebook and it instantly went viral.
Watch the story of the boy who was bullied by the teenagers
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In another incident, the young boy had his wrist broken by the same group as they had been targeting him for years.
Daniel’s mother Anne was left shocked when she came across the video and decided to complained to the police.
She said: “There was no reason for them to do this to Daniel. I have always been protective of Daniel playing out as he is quite shy and quiet but I never expected this to happen.”
“He was begging me to go out and see his mates so I let him, but when he came home and told me what had happened I couldn’t believe it. Daniel was punched in the jaw and the video shows him asking for me, it was heartbreaking to see.”
“He did not retaliate at all, it is so hard to watch.”
When a 38-year-old professional boxer named Stuart Maddox, from Preston, saw the distressing video, he stepped in to help the young boy. The boxer decided to train Daniel as he thought it might help him.
Stuart said: “I got a message from a friend of a friend about the video of the lad being bullied and he asked if we can help. I was disgusted about what I’d seen so I contacted his mum to ask if I could first share the video to acknowledge it and then if I could train him to give him some confidence.”
“Boxing might be a way to help. He’s a natural. He shocked us and I think he shocked himself. I wish the bullies could see him now.”
“I got bullied when I was growing up and didn’t have anyone to take me under their wing, so I started fighting back. Being in the position I am I can give this lad help.”
Daniel’s mother said that his confidence has increased now and he is smiling once again. Daniely, who attends Corpus Christi School in Preston, had been off school since it happened but now he is ready to attend school once again.
Daniel is now taking part in sparring sessions at Larches and Savick Boxing Club.
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