A former world championship boxer has donated thousands of pounds in aid of a Blackburn-based charity.

The Amir Khan Foundation, set up by Bolton boxer Amir Khan, donated £2,000 to a fundraiser launched by Blackburn Blind Sports, which provides sports sessions to the blind and visually impaired.

Charity chair Mohammed Salim Patel set up the fundraiser three weeks ago, aiming to raise nearly £19,000 for specialist equipment including goalball goals, court marking tape and other equipment.

An impressive £18,719 has been raised at the time of writing.

Mohammed, who is blind, set up the service in November because he was frustrated at the lack of sports available to the blind and partially sighted in Blackburn and across Lancashire.

Goalball (team sport designed specifically for athletes with a vision impairment), at Bangor Street, and blind tennis, at Blackburn Northern Sports Club, is currently being offered by the organisation.

He said: “In November I set up the club because the council and local charities weren’t offering anything for us.

“I was eager to get some competitive sports opportunities going. I knew from other people that there was a demand and interest and that people wanted to get out and play sport.

“We’ve been getting by up until now but we are playing without proper equipment.

“it’s frustrating and it gets me angry sometimes. Why should it be down to me to sort this?

"Councils and charities should have an obligation to do this,  but because they are not I have to sort it.”

Mohammed said the sports give visually impaired people a chance to socialise.

He said: “A lot of blind people face isolation due to their difficulties in getting out and about. This has improved their self-esteem and confidence, as well as their physical and mental health.

"It has given people something to look forward to and a bit of a purpose.

“Anyone who has a visual impairment should be able to get out and play sport. That need wasn’t being met so it fell to me to do this.

"It wasn’t easy because I was managing a full-time job but the smiles on people’s faces after a session makes it all worth it.”

Mohammed said he is “taken aback” by the level of support shown by the public. Money will go towards new equipment, marketing and possibly transportation costs.

He said: “I am thankful to everyone who has donated. If we reach the target that is when we will receive a council pledge of £7,000. The money makes a big difference

“Funds will also go towards marketing. We want to recruit more people and get the message out there to people in Lancashire that we are here.

“Hopefully we can get transport for people as that is one barrier we face. People can’t drive and public transport might not be accessible so if we can sort transport, such as taxi’s, to us then hopefully more people can come along.”

To donate to the fundraiser visit www.spacehive.com and search ‘Blackburn Blind Sports Equipment Costs’.