An Edinburgh boxing club is fighting the risk of closure, as less people are attending the free sessions put on by the Granton club.
Granton Amateur Boxing Club is a self-funded venture by David Barclay, 36, and his brother Drew, 22.
David told Edinburgh Live he first opened the club as wanted to better his own mental health by helping young children and adults deal with their own issues - through the sport of boxing.
David aims to help kids who are straying down difficult paths, and adults who are just recovering from various addictions, and said that if he helps just one person with his venture, then he feels like the hard work is worth it.
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Unfortunately, the club is at risk of sudden closure, due to the lack of kids and adults attending the sessions - and children who are attending not being brought down by their parents, which David said is a dangerous journey for the youngsters.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, David said: "Where we're based is in a really deprived area, and this time last year, the place was absolutely bouncing - we had so many kids and adults taking part in the sessions.
"We are now left with the club at risk of closure, due to people not wanting to attend sessions. The sessions for the children are completely free, and a small charge is asked of from the adults - but if they can't pay, we don't ask questions.
"I understand the struggles everyone deals with, especially during the cost of living crisis, but we are completely funding this ourselves, and want to just be able to help anyone we can."
David shared that he had sadly lost two close people in a battle with mental health, his brother and best friend - all within a week of each other.
The 36-year-old felt that the memory of his brother and his mate strived him forward to doing better things for others, and preventing there being any more loss.
David said: "Even if someone comes down and boxes for the session, but is coming down more for the camaraderie of being among people, and even just having that much-needed chat - it's all we can ask for.
"I have my phone on 24/7, and have been awoken through the middle of the night with calls from people asking for someone to talk to, that I've met at the club.
"That is why this club exists, to give that little shoulder to lean on, or just that chat that everyone so desperately needs to have.
"We aren't asking anyone for money, all we ask is that the community bonds together like it has so many times before - and comes down to attend the sessions."
David would happily accept the help of emergency services, to teach the children valuable lessons on how authority figures are there to help.
He added: "We'd love to have the police down to meet the kids, let them try the hat on and sound the sirens, just to show them that the emergency services and authorities are there to help, and are not there to be feared.
"We just want people to feel like they have somewhere to go, even if they feel like the only person in the world at that point.
"For me, it's all about the community - many might disagree but I think Granton is the best wee place in the world to live.
"When that community bonds together to do something, there's nothing in the world that compares."
You can attend the sessions at Granton Boxing Club in Edinburgh on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - with kids from 5pm until 6pm, and adults from 6pm until 7:30pm.
The boxing club will return on Monday, March 20 - and will hopefully stay open in the future.
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