A highly respected Burnley gym owner, who was forced to move out of his premises due to a fire, was dealt another cruel blow when thieves stole £1,000 worth of equipment.

Now a team of fighters at the Black Knights Kickboxing Gym are taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge to raise money to replace the stolen items in time for the gym re-opening in October. They have already raised £600 towards their £1.2k target and hope to reach that when they tackle the trek this Sunday.

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The gym is owned by Allan Clarkin and next year marks 45 years of the Black Knights, based at Pentridge Mill. The club has grown into a staple of Northern England's martial arts community and in 2023 Allan was awarded a British Empire Medal for his dedication.

Black Knights kickboxing gym owner Allan Clarkin, whose business has suffered a series of setbacks, with his grandson Danny and great grandson Zac

Over the years the gym has produced numerous regional, national, and world champions including Clitheroe’s UFC legend and pioneer Michael Bisping, who began training there as a teenager.

Disaster struck in May last year when the building in Holmes Street set on fire. Thieves then removed all the copper piping from the mill, leaving water pouring from the main feed. That was rectified but then an illegal grow was discovered on the top floor of the premises and the electric was cut off, issues that had to be rectified by the mill owner.

Allan said: “We have been without the gym now for 15 months but St Peter’s Centre very kindly offered us space for training three times a week, which has kept us going.”

On top of all that Allan, who is 74, has also been battling cancer for two and a half years. Despite this, and dealing with devastating side effects of treatment, dedicated Allan has never missed a session and fighters have still been competing and training. Married to his wife Jane for almost 55 years, Allan is now preparing to return to the gym for a grand re-opening on Monday, October 5th.

Doing it for Allan. Three of the fighters in training for the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge who are (left to right) Ben Gizon and his dad Daniel with Adam Whittaker

Adam Whittaker, one of the fighters taking part in the Three Peaks challenge said: “Allan has mentored thousands of people over the years. The positive impact he has had on so many lives is just immense and we wanted to do everything we can to help him.”

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