Tributes are paid to bodybuilder Faye Edwards

TRIBUTES have been paid to 28-year-old bodybuilder and boxer Faye Edwards who was found hanged at her home in Cleator Moor on Monday. News of her death has devastated all those who trained with her at local gyms, and especially at Whitehaven’s Powerhouse Gym.

Owner Ian Chambers said mum-of-one Faye, was destined for great things.
He said: “I can’t believe it. I can’t put it into words. Everyone at the gym is devastated.”
Faye hit the headlines aged 21 as Cumbria’s only woman boxer. She had also turned her attention to bodybuilding and was making fantastic achievements. Mr Chambers said: “She started training here last January and competed in May – and came third in the north west body championships. “She qualified for the novice British figure class.

“From when she came here in January she had altered her physique so much – she was eating six or seven meals a day and doing everything we asked of her – people didn’t recognise her.
“I said she would win the British championships for her class. It’s such a shame.”

Faye had recently moved to train at Wath Brow Hornets because it was closer for her. She lived in Clayton Avenue in Cleator Moor and had a five-year-old daughter. Mr Chambers has started a collection at the gym for her daughter.

He said Faye’s stepfather had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and she had taken that badly. Her brother is a soldier in Iraq. Friend Alex Cook, now a professional fighter, used to train with Faye at the Powerhouse Gym.

He said: “She had a passion for training. Her and Ian actually made the journey to Reading to support me when I fought for the FX3 British title. “She was always very light-hearted with an ability to talk to anyone. “When I lost, she came up and give me a big hug and said ‘hard luck’, which was just the kind of attitude she had. ‘Dust yourself off and try again next time’. That’s how she came across to me. “I was obviously shocked when I heard the news. I never thought she would be someone to go that way.” An inquest has been opened and adjourned. There are no suspicious circumstances. link