Hundreds of children attend anti-bullying classes
Troy BakerFree sessions aiming to prevent bullying have seen more than 400 children attend in about six weeks, organisers have said.
Gym owner Troy Baker, from Sunderland, started running the weekly classes for 9 to 14-year-olds after seeing a video of a child being bullied on social media.
Mr Baker said the response to the fitness sessions, which encourage children to help each other "and be kind", had been overwhelming, with sessions also held on Teesside.
"I think a lot of people have brought their kids along on the basis of either the kids could be potentially bullied, or even bully," the dad-of-two said.
There are hopes the initiative could expand across the region.
Since 3 April, six sessions have been held at The Box gym in Grindon, Sunderland, with five elsewhere including Stockton.
Mr Baker, who delivers the classes alongside Garry Ferguson, said he hoped to find a facility on the north side of Sunderland, which is also easily accessible on public transport, so the sessions could reach more people.
He said people were "sick to death" of seeing bullying videos online.
"Since running this class, we've been tagged in nearly a video every day of something happening, whether it's on a Metro, a bus or a public park," he said.
Each session encourages children to make sure everyone gets involved and no-one is left out during the class.
"What we're looking for is for kids to be kind and to help each other," Mr Baker said.
"It's a fitness class with a bit of boxing involved, but it's a class encouraging kids to encourage each other, to basically be kind."