BIG-HEARTED boxer Jason Welborn will be bringing a bit of Christmas cheer to deprived children in Rowley Regis this week.

The former British middleweight champion will be donning his Santa outfit and dishing out presents around his local Lion Farm Estate.

It's Welborn's way of saying thank-you for all the support he's received over the past year, which has seen the 32-year-old both win and defend his British title while also boxing in America

Welborn will be joined by his wife Rachel and daughter Demi-Rose on his goodwill tour which takes place this Wednesday, starting at 4.30pm in Martley Road and finishing up at St James Church.

Welborn said: "We must have accumulated well over 100 presents, some big, some small, most of which are designed for children under the age of 10."

The presents will be distributed from one of Welborn's own skips as he has only recently set up a skip hire business in Dudley.

Welborn has paid for the presents himself and said: "It's my way of saying thank-you for all the support I've received from people on the Lion Farm Estate and from pubs like the Phoenix and the Four Ways. It's just nice to give something back.

"I'm grateful, because boxing has kept me on the right path.

"It's just two hours out of my day to give something back and everyone's happy.

"It was just an idea at first, but I'm glad we've gone ahead and done it.

"I'm taking the rest of December off, but it's back to training in the New Year and I'm hoping to have something lined up for March or April.

"I think I opened a few eyes boxing in Los Angeles, so we will have to wait and see what develops".