Knockout result as fund-raisers save boxing gym
GENEROUS PUBLIC DONATE THE 10K NEEDED TO KEEP FACILITY OPEN
A COMMUNITY boxing gym has been saved thanks to funds raised by the public.
Carl Gunns has owned the boxing gym in Birstall for nearly two decades.
Five weeks ago, Carl told the Mercury that he had been hit badly by the coronavirus pandemic and that he was almost certainly going to have to close unless he could find £10,000.
Well, the public listened and Carl says the gym has been saved after people across the county voluntarily raised the amount needed.
“It’s brilliant, absolutely brilliant,” he said.
“Leicestershire and Leicester people have been amazing, it has been absolutely marvellous.
“The responses have been great I can’t thank people enough for helping to keep the gym open.
“I’ve had people from all over help, from Doncaster to Stafford and to be honest I never thought it would get these kinds of responses.
“At the end of the day, I really don’t know what to say – I can’t believe the amount of people that have donated money.”
The gym is extremely popular with young people and hundreds would attend sessions there pre-pandemic.
Last month, Carl revealed that a 10-year-old girl had saved up all her pocket money to give to him to help save the gym.
Only last week, he said an elderly woman pulled out a £5 note from her handbag and insisted that he take it.
There was also a public fund-raiser set up on GoFundMe, which saw more than £3,000 was raised.
“It would be wrong to single one person out,” said Carl.
“I can’t point anyone out because a person that gives £5 is just as important as someone who gives £500.
“The gym has been saved.” Thanks to the generosity of the public, Carl’s gym will be able to celebrate its 20th anniversary in February.
And in a bid to keep it open longer, the owner is setting up a trust fund so that the gym can continue to operate even after Carl is no longer involved.
All further donations will continue to go towards keeping the gym open for many years to come.