TV-star boxer films at his old school

11:02am Wednesday 21st March 2007

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THAI boxing coach Sandy Holt went back to his old school in a bid to inspire young people.

And the youngsters ended up taking part in filming for a TV documentary.

Sandy, who runs Bolton Thai Boxing Club, is appearing in a channel Five documentary about high-achieving small people, called The Size Of The Man.

The documentary follows people who have overcome their size and gone on to achieve great things.

Sandy, who was bullied as a child because he was so small, became a professional kick-boxer and went on to open one of the first Thai kick-boxing schools in the country.

He turned to kick-boxing as a way to increase his confidence and self-esteem.

Sandy, who is 5ft 6ins tall, picked his old school, Hayward in Great Lever, to appear in the short film.

Assistant headteacher Sandi Reid said: "He held an assembly to urge children to make the most of all their experiences, even negative ones, and turn them around into something positive.

"Sandy told the pupils he really enjoyed school and never missed a day. But he spoke about how a small number of pupils made his life at school difficult and how, as a result of that, he turned to Thai boxing."

The Thai boxer also spent time with 20 Year 10 and 11 pupils in front of a film crew showing them the skills involved in the martial art.

Mrs Reid said: "The children were excited about being filmed, but more than that, they were really inspired by Sandy and the message he was getting across."

The Size Of The Man is due to be shown later this year.

For details about Bolton Thai Boxing Club call 01204 395807.