Gym launches £5,000 bid to have own home
Cash would pay rent or deposit
A GROUP of teenage gymnasts have launched a campaign to raise money to help get a new building.
Eclipse Gymnastics in Locks Heath had been using three school halls but due to restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic the club members will not be able to do so ‘until at least January’.
The situation has been compounded by a loss of income with no gymnastic events or fundraisers taking place since March, and a loss of subscriptions.
Now they hope to raise enough cash to get training building to secure the longterm future of their club.
Club gymnast and junior coach, 17-year-old Lara Davis, said: ‘We decided to set up the fundraiser to give something back to the club for all they’ve doneforus.
‘To be able to build or rent a suitable premises would allow us to get back training and make a huge difference to everyone’s progression.
‘It has been difficult to keep up my fitness during lockdown but I’ve also missed the social side of seeing everyone – we are like a close family.’
Lara and some of her fellow gymnasts set up a GoFundMe page to raise an initial target of £5,000 to ‘hopefully use as a deposit’ on a suitable training facility for the 300 children and youngsters who makeuptheclub.
The club’s founder and Lara’s mother, Lesley Davis, 50, said she was ‘moved to tears’ when she heard what the club members had done as it showed ‘how much they valued the club’.
As a Community Interest Club (CIC), Eclipse hopes any premises can also be used for other youth initiatives such as dance and karate clubs.
The gymnastics club would also like to further develop its facilities to cater for the needs of children with disabilities.
One of the key issues is finding a venue of suitable size.
‘We need at least six metres of room height to practise some of the acrobatic gymnastics,’ said Lara.
The club has so far raised £1,171 towards their target.
Lara added: ‘The club does so much to support young people in our community and any donations will be a massive help.’
Several kind supporters have donated up to £100 each tohelptheclub.
Paul Bailey posted: ‘Good luck girls raising the money eclipse from Paul, Kerry and Max.’
For more, and to donate to the cause see gofundme. com/f/eclipse-gymnastics