Member Article

Knockout £1,000 donation for Hockley boxing club

A Hockley-based boxing club has hit a knockout donation after being gifted £1,000 from one of the UK’s biggest housebuilders.

Hockley Boxing Club, received the donation from Persimmon Homes Essex, as part of the builder’s Community Champions scheme.

The voluntary-led club offers fitness and boxing sessions to people from the age of six. It has grown in popularity and now attracts dozens of young people to the centre each week.

Tim Yeates, head coach, said: “Our classes not only help local people to get fit and healthy, but they also encourage key life skills, teach respect, give individuals confidence and show the value of a strong work ethic.

“We rely on fundraising to buy boxing equipment and maintain and replace worn and damaged equipment. We recently had some equipment stolen so this will help replace those items.

“The club has run various fundraisers over the summer and this £1,000 will make a real difference going into the new academic year. We’re extremely grateful for the donation gifted to us by Persimmon Homes Essex.”

The group applied for funding via the Persimmon Homes Community Champions initiative. It is a national programme where charities and groups can apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves.

Persimmon Homes Essex is currently building in Hockley at its Folly Grove development, providing a range of three, four and five-bedroom homes.

Phil Standen, managing director for Persimmon Homes Essex, said: “Our Community Champions scheme is a way of supporting worthy causes in the areas we build.

“It’s great to see this funding going to a sporting cause. Sport in general is extremely important and being able to support Hockley Boxing Club which actively engages young people and promotes inclusive pathways for self-development and health is really rewarding for us.

“We hope that the club will continue to succeed and encourage even more members of the community to get involved.”

All charities and groups are encouraged to apply for a donation by visiting https://www.persimmonhomes.com/charity/ and filling out the simple application form.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Natalie Moore .