Woman, aged 85, spars in care home after finally getting wish to be a boxer

An 85-year-old’s lifelong wish to pick up a pair of boxing gloves and knock out an opponent or two has led to a care home allowing her to spar with care staff clad in full PPE.

Despite having boxing fever in her genes, sporty Pamela Ward was never allowed to be a boxer in her youth, "because she was a girl".

After hearing Pamela's story, Debbie Lawrence, activities co-ordinator at Park View Care Centre in Ashford, Kent, decided it was never too late to make the 85-year-old's boxing dream come true.

The care home got Pamela her own pair of pink boxing gloves and a Wii Fit which she and other residents now use to practise their boxing skills.

Brave care workers have since lined up to let plucky Pam throw a punch at them.

'Sporty' woman with boxing in the blood

Pamela’s love of boxing came from her grandfather Edward Adams aka ‘Ted’, who was a prize fighter. He left Ireland in the 1800s to come to England and as a lightweight fighter, he travelled with fairs and circuses all over the country to perform bare knuckle fights, winning numerous titles.

Pamela told Debbie Lawrence that she has always been very sporty with a competitive nature and enjoyed tennis, hockey and netball at school.

“There was one sport in particular that she wanted to take up more than anything and that was boxing”, said a spokeswoman for the care home. She was inspired by tales of her grandfather’s bare-knuckle accolades but all of her requests to try the sport were knocked back.

“Pamela was never allowed to try her hand at boxing, simply because she was a girl.”

The retired receptionist and housewife with two children, has lived at the care home, run by RCH Care Homes, for over a year.

“During COVID pandemic, Pamela has been using the sparring set with staff, who are wearing full PPE during the sessions over the last few months.

“Hopefully in the future this will be something that they can come together to enjoy. The residents have however been enjoying the Wii Sport, especially the bowling and boxing.”

Pamela: Grandfather 'made me want to get in the ring myself'

As well as granting Pamela her wish, Debbie Lawrence went online to try to piece together the story of her grandfather ‘Ted’. Edward Adams, served in the army between 1914 -1918 during WW1 and died at the age of 45 due to an asthma attack.

After months of research, the activities coordinator found an archive which showed an Edward Adams had taken part in the 1908 Olympics - could this have actually been Pamela’s grandfather?

While her family have not been able to verify the finding, Pamela was delighted when Ms Lawrence told her the news.

Pamela said: “I have so many fond memories of my grandfather, so it was wonderful to hear these stories again.

“I admired him greatly and his boxing career made me want to get in the ring myself. I can’t believe that he could actually have been an Olympian!”

The spokeswoman for RCH Care Homes added: “The story highlights just one of many ways in which RCH Care Homes encourages and enables our residents to continue their passions and interests, and how age is not a limitation or obstacle to remaining active or to fulfilling life-long dreams.”

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