Your vote could help boxing club win £25,000 award

‘We are looking to create a state-of-the-art boxing club that will be fit for purpose to sustain the future of the club and boxing in Guernsey,’ Mandy Wickenden, coach and fundraising co-ordinator. said.

‘Fundraising has been under way for the past year and we will be stepping it up over the next year with the hope that work can start as soon as possible.’

After being approved as one of the charities eligible for this year’s Aviva Community Fund award of £25,000, the club needs islanders to take the time to vote for their Boxing Big Build appeal.

The more votes means the more chance the club has of receiving the grant that would help considerably with the development plans.

Although they do not want to change the character of the club, there are some renovations necessary in the building to rid the damp and improve the layout.

‘We would also like to build a mezzanine area looking down on the ring where parents can watch their children train, improve and develop into great boxers,’ she said.

The number of carded boxers [who can compete at an amateur level] has tripled at the club in the last three years and junior numbers have increased tenfold in seven years.

‘It’s the Prince Harry knock-on effect, people have realised boxing can help with depression, mood and stress and we want to be able to provide a great facility for them to come and work on their skill and work on themselves.

‘We really want Guernsey to get behind us and vote, it doesn’t cost anything to do, just a few minutes of your time and it all comes back to the island anyway,’ Mrs Wickenden said.

n To vote visit community-fund.aviva.co.uk, register and search for Boxing Big Build.

Up to 10 votes can be cast on any charity.

For more information visit the Guernsey Amalgamated Boxing Club Facebook page.