Funding from one of the region’s largest social landlords has helped a successful boxing club expand its facilities to meet demand.
Brandon Boxing Club has been able to increase the space available for its 100 members to train thanks to support from County Durham Housing Group. The club has extended its gym flooring to provide extra accommodation for the ever-growing number of boxers coming through its doors.
Specialist matting has been installed to provide a suitable surface for training and exercise circuits. The matting is essential to ensure that boxers aren’t injured during their exercise and practice sessions. The club has outgrown the space previously covered by specialist surfacing.
The expansion has been made possible thanks to £450 of ‘group grant’ funding from County Durham Housing Group.
County Durham Housing Group Community Investment Team Leader, Angela Stobbart, said: “Everyone involved in the club is so passionate. It’s easy to see why more and more people of all ages are keen to come along to have a go.
“I’m really pleased that this funding will be able to make the continued growth and success of the club possible. This is exactly the kind of project we had in mind when we created the ‘group grant’ programme. It might seem like a small amount of money but it’s clear to see what a big difference it has made here.”
Alex Oliver from Brandon Boxing Club said: “We are very grateful for the grant, without the support from organisations like County Durham Housing Group clubs like ourselves would struggle to survive. It was great that Angela came along to see the club in action and to see the difference this support means to us.”
The application process for ‘group grant’ has been kept deliberately simple and funding decisions will be made monthly to ensure local groups are not waiting for lengthy periods to find out if they have been successful.
Full details of the group grant scheme are available at www.countydurhamhousinggroup.co.uk/groupgrant, by calling 0191 349 7777 or emailing groupgrant@cdhg.co.uk