RUGELEY BOXING CLUB

Nicholas Peckham is organizing this fundraiser to benefit RUGELEY (POLICE) COMMUNITY AND AMATEUR BOXING CLUB.

PLEASE KEEP SUPPORTING OUR CAMPAIGN!

In 2019 Rugeley Police Boys Amateur Boxing club was granted a new 14 year lease by Cannock council and is here to stay!

However, part of this new lease agreement meant that the Gym has to undertake the building of an extension in order to serve more members of the local and wider community. This was the only way the Gym was granted a new and affordable long term lease.

Whilst this is fantastic news for the Club, its members and Rugeley town as a whole, the club now faces a huge challenge in order to raise sufficient funds to complete the project.

Due to its ever growing popularity, for some years now the club has toyed with the idea of an extension. However and because the lease was due to expire with the council at the end of 2018 (with no guarantees of renewal) the clubs plans to extend the building were put on hold!

Some evenings the Gym is literally bursting at the seems and rather regrettably even has to turn people away! It is not uncommon in the summer months for users of the facility to train outside as there simply is not enough room inside. Head coach Ian Lear has said that he is finding more and more parents are turning up with their children in the hope that they can get fit, in order to tackle the ever growing problem of childhood obesity.

The Bad News!

If the club does not complete the extension within a set time period it will be in breach of its lease agreement and will be forced to close!

Proud History

The boxing club has been serving the town of Rugeley and its surrounding areas since 1968. Initially founded in connection with the local Police, in order to give local children somewhere to let of steam in a positive vein, it has been a roaring success since its inception. Run over the years by a number of dedicated hard working volunteers who give their time for free.

I've no doubt that in turn this positive outlet has helped reduce the amount of anti social behaviour in the area. Indeed this was the view of Cannock Police when the club was in negotiations with the local council to renew the lease. The following is an extract of a letter from Sgt Dudley Pinson from Cannock police to the head of Cannock Council and was quoted as saying:-

THE RING

Member of Rugeley ABC sparring in Burntwood

Building work doesn't come cheap!

I've no doubt people are aware building work isn't cheap. The club however has been granted full planning permission.

The club has had full commercial building plans drawn up at a cost of £7,000 - this is before a spade has been put in the ground. In total the extension will cost approximately £60,000.

Back in 1982 the club was hand built on the existing site by its members. The club intends to carry out the extension works along the same lines. Rugeley ABC had an independent quote from a builder. The quote came to £191,000!

Given this huge cost, the club is going back to basics and relying on tradesman that currently use the facility to give their time for free. This will also give a REAL community feel to the project.

All the club needs now is for the cost of the materials to be raised by just giving from the local community and business leaders. Anyone wishing to see a copy of the plans please email [email redacted].uk. PLEASE SUPPORT US IN ORDER FOR US TO HELP THE COMMUNITY! THE CLUB IS DOING ALL IT CAN BUT NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Bag Packing in Tesco's to help raise money.
Photo with members and local Councillor Sutherland in support of the plans

After a recent Committee meeting the club decided that now more than ever it is necessary to expand the Gym to cater for more people to come and enjoy the facility. In these challenging times this has been a difficult financial decision and the club needs your help to deliver this service to the community.

If you can please give generously

Many thanks

Rugeley Boxing Club.

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