Boxers giving back to coach

The News
TRENTON - As Barry and Marie Sponagle deal with a personal tragedy, people in the county are reaching out to the Durham couple in their time of need.
The couple's home was destroyed in a flu fire early Monday morning; Barry and his wife, Marie, were able to escape with only the clothes on their backs.
In the past few days, however, the couple has seen an outpouring of support from friends and acquaintances.
On Wednesday, the Albion Amateur Boxing Club announced plans to raise funds for the Spongales.
"We're setting up a fundraiser for the Sponagle family. We're going to do a ticket draw for Sobeys gift certificates," says Albion Amateur Boxing Club coach Jim Worthen. "One hundred per cent of the funds raised will be donated to the family to help them with their loss."
Tickets are $2 and can be purchased from club members. People can also contact go to at albionboxing@hotmail.com for further information.
Barry Sponagle is a long-time supporter of the Albion Boxing Club. For the past two-and-a-half years, he has been volunteering with the club both as a coach and as a trainer.
"The kids really respect Barry and the work he has done with them," Worthen says.
"We want to give something back to the Sponagle family after they've given so much to us."
Sponagle was a professional boxer for 11 years, from 1968 to 1979. The former TrentonWorks employee says he continues to this day to support the local boxing clubs because he wants "to give back some of what (he's) learned."
He adds, "I've been in the game a long time. I might as well share some of my experiences."
He says he's "amazed" by all of the support he has received from people throughout the county. In the past few days, people have been calling the couple to offer donations.
"I didn't know I was that well-known or that well liked," he says with a smile.
"Any help at all is strongly appreciated from my entire family."
In the meantime, a trust fund has also been set up at the Bank of Montreal. Anyone wanting to donate money to Barry and Marie can do so by contacting the New Glasgow branch.