Christmas boost for boxing club

A boxing club has taken delivery of much-needed new gear in the run-up to Christmas – in a boost from Erewash Borough Council.

A photograph showing half a dozen large parcels was posted online by Ilkeston Community Boxing and Sports Club, which successfully applied for one of the town hall’s Fast Funding Community Grants.

The Critchley Street club – which bills itself on Facebook as “Ilson Fight Unit” – also won funding from Derbyshire County Council.

The shipment included punchbags and eight 5kg leather medicine balls. 

A message accompanying the picture read: “Always exciting to get a delivery at the club! A massive thank you to community grants awarded to us from Erewash Borough Council and the Derbyshire County Council.

“Grants like this make such a difference to what we do at the club and helps us purchase better equipment to continue to deliver quality training to the community we love being part of.”

The club was launched after the pandemic by two volunteer trainers who wanted to encourage children and young adults to get active and start socialising again. Community grants from the town hall allocate government funding to local organisations that often rely on volunteers. The boxing club – which now has official amateur status – was awarded £1,435. 

Another photo on its Facebook page showed young boxer Arthur Clarke, aged five, clutching a trophy awarded every week to the youngster making most progress. 

Erewash Borough Council Deputy Leader Councillor Becca Everett, who is also Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The club is a perfect example of the sort of community initiative that our fast funding grants aim to encourage.

“The council still has funding to provide a vital boost to volunteer groups, charities and other non-profit organisations that benefit the people of Erewash. Applying is easy – just visit the council’s website.”

For more information click here: Community Grants