A POPULAR amateur boxing club is facing the 'devastating' reality of closure as they look for a new permanent home for their members to train.
Egremont Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) has been running for four years, providing a place in the town for members of all ages to train, as well as creating a 'safe space' for many to form friendships and build confidence.
The club has been operating out of the town's Conservative Club for the last three years; however, in recent months, they have found the facility to no longer be viable for training.
Alan Toole, who is one of the coaches running the club alongside Mally Caton, has said that if a new home cannot be found, the boxing club will have to close.
Boxers come from 'all over' West Cumbria to practise at the club, with Alan estimating around 60 people attend training, usually four or five nights every week.
"It kicked off well, and then we've never really dipped," said Alan.
"It gives a bit of a community spirit. It is the town’s gym really, it had been nothing but absolutely brilliant since we started it, you get all walks of life coming in there."
The club has also had successes, winning two box cups and heading over to Sweden to compete, as well as hosting six home shows in the last three years.
However, if the club can't find a permanent base quickly, Alan says they are going to have to close, a decision that is 'devastating' for all those connected to the club.
He said: "We are more gutted for the kids, really.
"It's been our life for the last four years, to be honest; any spare minute we have had, we've been down there with the kids.
"We have looked everywhere, and we are still looking, but we just hope that we can get something.
"What we want is a permanent home, somewhere we can lock the doors at night and keep it going for the kids."
Alan thanked Anthony Brettle, the club chairman, who he said has been an 'absolutely fantastic' volunteer in supporting the coaches.
The club has been closed for now while the team tries to find a permanent home over the coming months, and if this can't be achieved, Alan says the club will have to make a permanent decision to close the doors.
"I have had phone calls off parents and they are very distraught that is the most gutting thing about it, the kids. I’ll be gutted because I have been around boxing all my life and to set my own gym up was great, but my sadness comes from I feel like I’ve let the kids down."
The club is reaching out to the community for help, saying, "If you know of any premises, warehouse, unit, community building, or even a piece of land that could be suitable for Egremont ABC, please get in touch.
"Every lead, recommendation, and share could make all the difference."
For anyone who may be able to help the club with their appeal, you can contact them on their Facebook page.
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