Boxing club needs votes to win cash

A BOXING club in Burbage is asking for your vote to help them secure a new training hall and win £200,000 towards their activities.

Heart of England Community Boxing Club is among thirty finalists sparring for the top prize in Persimmon Homes’ Healthy Communities scheme, and was chosen to represent Persimmon Homes North Midlands.

Each finalist will win £5,000 while two runners up will receive £50,000 each, with the winners to be announced at a gala dinner at York Racecourse on March 22.

The scheme was set up to promote and support amateur youth sport in England, Scotland and Wales.

Nick Griffin, head coach at Heart of England Community Boxing Club, said: “We’re thrilled to hear that we’ve made it through the final stages.

“This has come at a great time as the club is now looking for a new home.

“We keep around 50 young people off the streets every week of the year and are a ‘not for profit’ organisation.

“We are urging people to back us in this competition and take the time to vote as such a large amount of money would be a real game changer for our group.”

Nadine O’Dowd, managing director of Persimmon Homes North Midlands, said: “We have been overwhelmed the incredible talent, expertise and dedication shown by all the organisations that entered.

“The aim of the scheme is to help create a sporting legacy, and we believe Heart of England Community Boxing Club could do this if they win the £200,000.

“We would urge local people to get behind this group by adding their vote online, as the work they do is tremendous.”

Thousands of groups and individuals applied for monthly donations of £750 to pay for kit and equipment.

You can vote for the boxing club, via the Persimmon Homes website, with voting open until March 16