Hartlepool boxing club which trained world champion Savannah Marshall appeals for donations to save gym

Hartlepool Headland Boxing Club has said it desperately needs to raise £5,000 to pay for the cost of a new floor after a problem with woodworm caused its current floorboards to fall into a state of disrepair.

The club has been hit hard financially by the coronavirus pandemic which has meant that it has had to cancel its annual boxing shows which provide its main income.

In a bid to cover the cost of the repairs the club has launched a fundraising appeal on Go Fund Me called ‘Hartlepool Headland Boxing Club Save our Club.’

In a message on the Go Fund Me page a spokesman for the club said: “We have one major issue which could finish our club.

"Parts of our floor are in disrepair, bearing in mind our building is approximately 100 years old. "

“We are a small gym with the main income being from hosting our annual boxing shows but Covid has meant we’ve had to suspend any competitions leaving us struggling financially.”

The boxing club is at the heart of the Headland community in Hartlepool and holds around four training sessions each week for all ages and abilities.

Current WBO Middleweight World Champion and former Amateur World Champion, Savannah Marshall has trained at the club since the age of 12 and still attends the gym when home.

And the importance of the club to the people of the town has been demonstrated in their response to the appeal which has already raised £4,361 of its £5,000 goal since it was launched on November 19.

However more funds are needed to cover the full cost of repairs to the floor.

Savannah Marshall has also backed the appeal, urging her Twitter followers to support the club.

She said: “This is my amateur club Hartlepool Headland since the age of 11, a non profit club which is very close to my heart.

"They are trying to raise money to pay for a new gym floor which is rotting. Can everyone please retweet.”

Thanking the public for their support, a message from the club on the fundraising page said: "We are blown away and incredibly thankful for the support from you all.”

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.