A teenage girl from Dukinfield is "devastated" after her boxing equipment was stolen- days before she is due to compete for the North West in Sweden.
Boxing ace Faye started the sport at the age of nine and regularly competes in tournaments, even making it to the semi-finals of a major competition in Guildford. She was entered very last minute into a tournament in Sweden, where she will be competing for the North West on Friday (29 April).
Last Friday (22 April), just after 2pm, Faye McCormick, 15, was travelling with her dad, Rob, in his van in Hyde. After parking up near the Hyde Snooker & Social Club, the pair left the van for five minutes.
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When they came back, Faye was devastated to discover that her bag with all her boxing equipment and belongings was gone. An eyewitness then approached Rob and Faye to tell them that they saw people exit a silver Volkswagen Caddy car and break into the van, before taking the items and fleeing.
Faye lost her black and grey Venum bag, a gum shield, blue rival boxing gloves, red head guard, hair nets, hand wraps, skipping rope, blue Hugo Boss bubble coat, Nike trainers, Nike t-shirt, Under Armour shorts, Primark underwear and pyjamas.
Faye's mum, Michelle Brown, 37, told the M.E.N. about the devastating ordeal. She said: "Faye's dad had just picked her up and was going to take her to boxing that evening.
"So he took her with him for a job and they were literally out of his van for five minutes. And they came back and the boxing bag had gone. A witness said the thieves must have had some sort of key fob, because they put something against the van's lock, opened the door, grabbed the bag and her coat, and left.
"Faye was devastated. She cried her eyes out. She said she felt like the theft was personal to her, because it was her belongings that they went for.
"That’s how she felt , as you do when you get robbed. You do think it's personal to you.
"The coat that they stole, it was a Hugo Boss coat. She got that coat for her birthday two weeks ago. We don’t normally buy things like that. She has finally got something of value, but now it's gone.
"The sports clothing, she bought all of it out of her own birthday money, because she needs it for these boxing tournament trips."
The family searched all over the local area to see if they could spot Faye's bag lying abandoned somewhere, but to no luck. Michelle continued: "We went driving around and we looked in bins, in alleyways, in fields, everywhere. W e did find some of her old pyjamas in Denton.
"The thieves could sell the equipment on, because it's not cheap and it's professional equipment. But the gum shield is no use to anyone else because it is moulded to Faye's mouth.
"The first thing Faye's dad did after the theft was call the orthodontist to have a new gum shield made, because it takes a few days to make. We've been dashing around, trying to get all of Faye's belongings replaced.
"She can't spar without her gum shield, but luckily, she was able to get a new one and practice a bit of sparring. So she feels prepared for the tournament now."
Following the theft, the next few days were a flurry of trying to round up replacement boxing equipment to prepare for Faye's trip to Sweden. Now, the family has been inundated with generous offers from individuals and businesses who want to support Faye with anything she needs to continue boxing.
Michelle continued: " Everyone has been so kind. We have had so many people offer to replace things and local gyms have offered to lend Faye equipment. The list is too big to name. We have had total strangers on Facebook offering money as well. We haven’t taken anything off anyone other than family and friends.
"But it’s very kind of everyone to pull together and chip in for her. It’s overwhelming.
"It’s been amazing, and quite emotional, really, to see how much support we've been getting from people. It’s been a tough time anyway, trying to pull the money together for her to go on these trips, and then she had everything taken from her."
One generous individual who has offered to help Faye replace her stolen belongings is boxing referee S teve Tallo-Brady, o wner of Tameside Elite Boxing Academy. Steve saw Michelle's post about the theft on Facebook and offered his support.
Coincidentally , Steve is also travelling to Sweden to referee in the boxing competition, but does not know Faye personally.
Steve, 54, from Glossop, said: "I saw Michelle's Facebook post about Faye's equipment being stolen and I thought it was disgusting. It’s not nice, seeing a young kid's dream taken away like that. At first, I didn't realise that Faye was going to be on the same trip to Sweden - it's a small world.
"We are more than happy to help Faye in any way we can, whatever it costs, it doesn’t really matter. Money is no object when it comes to the kids. We can help donate equipment, guards, gloves, anything she wants. These kids should not lose out on the opportunities they get."
Additionally, Steve shared how important it is for him to encourage talented female boxers like Faye.
He added: "I can remember Faye attended a sparring session at my gym a few years ago and she was a lovely little girl, very quiet. It's great to see her doing really well in boxing.
" Girls are running the boxing for me, compared to the lads. T he girls have less distractions and they put in more than the lads do in the ring.
"They are so respectful and they actually listen to everything you say. I t's lovely."
Also offering support is Andy Jones, 48, from Altrincham, who is a boxing coach at Magic Hatton Boxing & Fitness in Bredbury. He said: "I’ve got boxing gloves, a head guard and a skipping rope if Faye needs them.
"If you are in a position to help someone, then you will always offer to help, it’s the right thing to do. Anyone else in my position would have done the same thing."
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