Boxing coach backs knockout new £600,000 support for youth sport
AN England team boxing coach has given his backing to a new funding programme aimed at giving away thousands of pounds to support youth sports.
David Hodkinson, head coach at Queensway Amateur Boxing Club in Rochdale, lined up with some of his rising stars to help Persimmon Homes launch its new Healthy Communities scheme.
Persimmon is giving away more than £600,000 to sporting causes across the UK over the next ten months.
The scheme is aimed at amateur sports teams and individuals aged 21 years and under in England, Wales and Scotland.
David, a former England and Army boxer himself, said: “I am delighted to be involved in the launch of Persimmon’s Healthy Communities programme.
“Here at the Queensway club we have a number of rising stars competing at national and international level, and securing funding is always an issue to help them to achieve their full potential.
“Corporate support of this kind is vital for both grassroots sport and developing future champions.
“There is so much individual sporting talent across the North West and some top-class sports clubs.
“I’d urge them all to get involved and make an application for funding.”
Queensway Amateur Boxing Club includes a number of young prospects bidding for regional, national and Commonwealth title honours.
The club operates from the Full Contact Performance Centre in Rochdale.
Every month this year each of Persimmon’s 30 regional businesses will hand out £750 to either an individual or sportsperson in the area.
The money is to be spent on sports kit, equipment, coaching or facilities.
Then in January 2018 a team or individual will be selected to represent each of Persimmon’s 30 businesses in an online public vote, which will decide the overall winner.
One individual or group will scoop the £200,000 top prize to create a lasting legacy, with two runners-up winning £50,000 each. The other 27 finalists will win £5,000 each.
The new fund is in addition to the £720,000 the company already donates through its hugely successful Community Champions scheme each year.
See persimmonhomes. com/charity to apply.