Three of Carlisle’s Unit 5 Muay Thai And Boxing Sports Centre’s junior fighters are hoping to compete at the Unified World Championships.

The club has set up a funding campaign to raise money to cover the cost of getting Hayden Armstrong, Charlie Johnston and Jack McAdam to the event, in Carrara, Italy from October 31 to November 4.

Coach Mark Armstrong, Hayden’s father, said: “Charlie Johnston won the UKMF [United Kingdom Muaythai Federation] Open in Glasgow a few weeks back, taking the gold medal against the more experienced Luke Turner from Lumpini Crawley.

"He’s a pleasure to coach, never misses a session and always gives 100 per cent. He had a busy year last year, earning some good wins and he is definitely one to watch out for in the future.

"Jack is a quiet lad who gets nervous in the run up to fights, but once he’s in the ring, he loves it. He had a good win in the semi-final of the WTKA [World Traditional Kickboxing Association] Open a couple of weeks ago, but then faced Team GB representative Louis Fairhurst in the final, losing to him.

"Hayden also had a good year last year, putting in some solid performances and has already started this year with a strong win over this year’s WKTA Open champion Reiss Holden Payton. Hayden has had a few weeks off due to illness, but he’s back in the gym now, firing on all cylinders, getting ready for another busy year.

"This opportunity to fight over in Italy is something he’ll be giving 100 per cent towards."

The club want to raise £3,000. For details, go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/youthsmuaythaiatunit5.