Boxing club asking islanders to help renovate premises

‘Our club is more than just fighting – we teach discipline, respect, hard work and keep youngsters off the street but our facilities are very run down and urgently need upgrading,’ said fundraising co-ordinator and coach Mandy Wickenden.

‘The club has been around for over 80 years and has always provided a safe environment for youths to learn and progress in boxing.

‘Over the years we’ve grown so much and have more dedicated boxers and coaches than ever.’

Training in such tired and poor conditions is not ideal for the boxers and also ages the equipment faster.

On occasion, mushrooms have grown in the corner of the training room, paint runs off the walls because of the damp and the boiler cannot be turned on in case it blows all the lights out.

Plans have been finalised for the big renovation build which would extend the club into the roof to allow for more seating where family and friends could watch events.

Originally quoted at costing around £400,000, the estimated cost to improve the building has now gone up to £500,000.

Coach Stephen Purtill has been part of the club for 32 years and has seen an influx in females and juniors joining.

‘With the right facilities the potential in the club is unlimited, there’s so much more we could do.’

Lainie Platt, 10, has been boxing for three months and has noticed a real difference in her fitness.

‘I think the coaches make it really fun and the equipment is good, but it would be nice to train in a cleaner building, it needs some work done to improve it,’ she said.

Although a lot of work needs doing, the club’s committee does not want to knock it down and start again because of the character the building has.

Financial strain is the only thing holding back the development.

‘We try and clean the walls as much as possible but as soon as they get wet it all goes green again,’ said Mrs Wickenden.

Urging islanders to think of the good work the boxing club does for the community, the team at ABC hope islanders can see how desperate they are.

14-year-old Rio Gaudion started boxing one year ago as a way to improve his general fitness.

‘I started enjoying it more and now I come down most days because I want to [box] competitively.’

He said the club has taught him commitment and focus in sport and other aspects of his life.

‘Better facilities would make it easier and nicer to train but we wouldn’t want to lose the family-feel of the club.’

Ian Bell encouraged his 12-year-old son to go down to the boxing club a few months ago and has already noticed a change in his fitness and attitude.

‘I wanted Luke [my son] to come down because he had a perception that boxing was just about fighting in the ring, but he was hooked after a couple of sessions and it’s taught him a little bit of respect and discipline.

‘It was another dad at the club that convinced me after seeing a huge change in his son and I thought it would be good to teach him to stick at something,’ he said.

• To donate to the fundraising page, visit www.giving.gg/donate/charity/290/Amalgamated-Boxing-Club