Who are we?
Welcome to the Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club! We are a not-for-profit sports charity with a passion for helping people of all ages and abilities thrive through gymnastics and fitness.
Since 1996, we’ve been at the heart of our community in our purpose-built Gymnastics & Fitness Centre—a dream brought to life with National Lottery funding, creative fundraising efforts, and the dedication of our gymnasts, families, supporters and Lynn Hammersley M.B.E. From collecting 20p coins in Smarties tubes to crushing cans (thrown over the Hammersleys' fence!), this centre is a true community achievement.
We welcome over 500 children every week, from tiny Gym Tots to competitive gymnasts, alongside adults who enjoy our fitness facilities. As a British Gymnastics-approved training venue and a host for South West AGA & Gloucestershire AGA events, we’re proud to inspire confidence, skill, and well-being in every participant.
🏅 Now, we need your help to keep our gym thriving! 🏅
Why are we crowdfunding?
At the Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club, we are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space for everyone in our community. To continue doing so, we urgently need to replace our aging trampoline and safety matting. This equipment requires updating to meet the growing demands of our gym and to enable us to re-introduce opportunities like rebound therapy, which will support individuals with additional needs.
The equipment has also been impacted by water damage caused by our aging roof, highlighting the need for long-term investment in our facilities.
As a not-for-profit charity, we rely on class fees, fundraising, and the generosity of supporters to maintain and improve our facilities. With rising costs and increasing demand, we need your help now more than ever.
💰 Sport England sees the value of our project and has pledged £7500 if we can raise the other £7500 through 25 unique supporters through this crowdfunder💰
🚀 Every donation brings us closer to this goal – and helps DOUBLE your impact! 🚀
Your donations will help us enhance safety, expand access to gymnastics, and ensure our centre remains a place where children and adults can thrive, grow in confidence, and develop their skills. Together, we can take gymnastics in the Forest of Dean to exciting new heights!
How we’ll spend the money raised
We’re committed to using every penny raised to benefit our gymnasts, community, and club. Here’s how your support will make a difference:
✅ New Trampoline (£8,364.00) – A state-of-the-art trampoline with frame, pads & bed for safe, modern training.
✅ Safety Matting (£813.60) – Essential upgrades to improve safety for 500+ weekly gymnasts.
✅ Padded Cable Guards (£2,805.60) – Protecting high bar and asymmetric bars, ensuring gymnast safety.
✅ Gymnova Equipment Maintenance (£4,473.00) – Upgrades to keep our high bars, springboards, and handrails in top condition.
✨ Total project cost: £16,456.20 ✨
Any extra funds raised will go directly toward maintaining and upgrading other equipment in our gym, helping us continue to offer a safe and welcoming space for our community.
🏆 Your donation helps us unlock Sport England’s funding – together, we can make this happen!
From all of us at Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club – THANK YOU for being part of our journey! Your generosity keeps our gymnasts flying high!
Community impact
The Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club is more than just a place for gymnastics—it’s a hub for community connection, health, and development. Our centre benefits:
👦 Children and Families: Over 500 children train here weekly, building confidence, resilience, and physical skills from as young as 1 year old.
🏫 Local Schools: We partner with rural primary schools, giving children access to structured gymnastics sessions they might not otherwise experience.
🏋️♂️ Adults and Seniors: Our fitness facilities provide a welcoming space for individuals of all ages, with many over 50, to maintain their physical and mental well-being.
♿ Inclusive Opportunities: With future plans for rebound therapy, we aim to support individuals with additional needs, offering them access to the joy and benefits of movement.
🌍 Wider Community: As a venue for events, competitions, and training courses through South West & Gloucestershire Amateur Gymnastics Association and British Gymnastics, we attract visitors and contribute to the region’s sporting excellence.
By supporting our club, you’re investing in a space that enriches the lives of people across our community.
🎉 Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier community! 🎉
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1️⃣ Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2️⃣ Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3️⃣ Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4️⃣ Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
🎯 Every pledge counts – and gets us closer to unlocking Sport England’s funding!
Rewards for Your Support!
To say thank you, we have some amazing rewards donated! 🎁
🏆 £250 – 8” x 8” Advertising Board in Our Gym 🏆
Promote your business to hundreds of families every week!
Your 8” x 8” advertising board will be displayed in a high-traffic area of our gymnastics centre for 12 months, seen by gymnasts, parents, spectators, and fitness members.
📢 What’s included?
✅ Professional Design – We’ll create the board for you if you wish, incorporating:
- Your logo
- Your website & phone number
- A short description of what you offer
✅ Prime Location – Your advert will be positioned inside our gym, where it will be seen daily by our 500+ weekly visitors.
✅ Exclusive Business Exposure – This is a fantastic way to showcase your brand to the local community while supporting a great cause!
📌 Want to keep your board up beyond 12 months? You’ll have the option to renew on a rolling basis.
🎯 Support our fundraising campaign AND get your business noticed!
or how about
🏡 £250 – 3-Night Midweek Stay in a Beautiful Airbnb Escape! 🏡
Enjoy a relaxing 3-night midweek break in this stunning countryside Airbnb in the Forest of Dean! 🌿✨
📍 Where?
Airbnb Listing Here
🌲 Why You’ll Love This Stay:
🏡 Cosy & Stylish Accommodation – A perfect escape from daily life!
🛏️ Ideal for Two People – Whether a romantic getaway or a peaceful retreat.
🔥 Modern Comforts & Rustic Charm – Fully equipped with everything you need.
🚶♂️ Perfect Location – Close to scenic walks, local attractions & nature trails.
🌟 Highly Rated on Airbnb – Loved by past guests for its comfort & charm.
📅 Midweek Stay (Mon–Thurs) – Subject to availability.
🎯 An incredible stay AND you’re supporting a great cause – what’s not to love?
📌 Grab this unique reward before it’s gone!
👀 Check out all the amazing rewards & claim yours before they’re gone!