Sponsorship sought for boxing club mural
LOCAL artist Ross Le Brun is asking for sponsorship for a mural he plans to paint on the Amalgamated Boxing Club.
The club has asked Mr Le Brun to paint boxing images and motivational quotes from famous boxers. He hopes it will help inspire a new generation of boxers.
‘I used to box and I think all kids should get to experience it as it gives them confidence and brings them out of themselves. My son does it every Saturday,’ said Mr Le Brun.
‘I think it’s really important, especially for mental health.’
Mr Le Brun already has a couple of ideas for the mural, but needs the club’s approval for them before he starts the project.
‘I want to do some boxing imagery with quotes from boxers, whether that be covering the front of the building, up on the top by the sign or on the sides of the front.’
Mr Le Brun expects the mural would take him about a week to paint. But he cannot take a week off work unpaid.
‘I’ve had a couple of messages from people saying they could offer something, but I’m waiting to hear about corporate sponsorship.
‘It would be great if I could get sponsorship, and then they could hopefully further sponsor the club.’
Mr Le Brun is passionate about community art projects. He did chalk art murals of cyclists during the Island Games and has arranged chalk art festivals to encourage others to be creative.
‘I have plans for more community artwork but I just need the permission of property holders. I am very proud to have been asked to do it.’
The club has asked for the mural to replace a sign which reads ‘Amalgamated Boys Club’, following the change of its name to ‘Amalgamated Boxing Club’, as well as imagery and quotes around the sides of the building.
‘A lot of youngsters come through these doors so we want to make it more inspiring for them,’ said fundraising assistant Kenieta Domaille.
‘I had been following Ross on Facebook and was wowed by his work, and his style aligned with what we wanted, so I got in contact with him.’
The mural will be painted on the club’s current building, not the extension for which it has received planning permission.
‘Fundraising for the extension has slowed down as the cost of building work has gone up,’ said boxing development officer Mandy Hobart.
‘We are still looking for a sponsor.
‘We have new flooring and we need to repair the roof.’
