The area we are based in is one of the most deprived areas of the UK, household incomes way below the national average. These factors combined with lack of facilities locally means children/young people have lack of opportunities to participate in sports and other activities. Our aim is ensuring children/young people have access and opportunity to experience high quality affordable coaching, participating in sport and activities that improves physical/emotional wellbeing and life chances. We have a team of highly experienced coaches including ex-English Professional Boxer Kevin Hooper.
Between August and November we saw exceptional demand within the community for our services with over 40 members joining. With real appetite amongst the community for our services, the first lockdown had a great impact on our communities mental, emotional/physical wellbeing. In the short-time our Academy has been able to operate during the pandemic, we have given our members fantastic opportunities, they have found something they are good at. It has given them hope, built their confidence, enabled them to develop their aspirations, improved their outlook on life. We have provided a safe place and refuge from harsh realities some of our members will encounter in their lives. We believe we play a vital role in helping/supporting not only our members but wider communities in recoveries to rebuild emotional/physical wellbeing, creating opportunities for them to excel and achieve through sport.
The money we raise will be spent on the upkeep of our building as we are situated in a very old church which is desperate need of repairs throughout the building.
We will also put the money raised towards more equipment, for example more boxing gloves, more skipping ropes, more gym mats so we can accommodate all of our members so they have access to the use of more equipment. And as always we will use the money to keep our gym as Covid safe as possible by investing in more Hygiene and Safety equipment.