A BOXING club is raising funds for a new gym which will also serve as a community hub.
Eastbourne Boxing Club is looking to raise money to fund the first stages of planning after their current gym became too small for their members.
The new gym, which is being proposed in collaboration with Eastbourne Borough FC, would also be used by local schools and community groups as a hub for helping local people through sport.
Adam Haniver, chairman of Eastbourne Boxing Club, said: “We are going to grow and recognise our value to the community.
“We have been open for eight years and we got to a point where we have reached critical mass. We are a victim of our own success.
“We are much aligned in our values with Eastbourne Football Club, they want to make the national league premier and we want national champions.”
The boxing club is looking to build the two-tiered gym on land adjacent to the football club’s south stand in order to target a wider membership as well as to offer a space to the local community.
The new venue will act as a “centre of excellence” for boxers and coaches who wish to train and will replace the current gym in Commercial Road.
The gym will also look to particularly help people in the community through targeted boxing classes and other events, including lessons for vulnerable children, over 65s and female only classes.
Adam says that the boxing teachers are all volunteers, many of whom have experience working with vulnerable children.
The club is eligible for funding from Sport England to help the construction of the site but need to fund initial costs.
In order to do the necessary surveys to begin the planning process, the club are looking to crowdfund the remaining money by offering rewards for those supporting the cause. So far they have raised £12,000 towards the cost of the gym.
Rewards range from free haircuts to mindset coaching and full car services. People can support the cause by donating to the boxing club crowd funding page at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/football-and-boxing-for-eastbourne.
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