Boxing club needs upgrade to 'create champions'

An East Yorkshire boxing club is aiming to raise £225,000 to expand its premises.

Goole Amateur Boxing Club (GABC) hopes to buy its existing building on Boothferry Road and also a property next door.

The club said the modernisation would meet growing demand and "increase accessibility for the local community".

GABC offers boxing classes for all ages as well as people with Parkinson's Disease.

The club opened in 2021 and has more than 225 members ranging in age from eight to over 60s.

In a statement, chair of trustees Andrew Horncastle MBE said GABC "does not just aim to create champions in the ring, but champions in life".

"To continue doing the great work it does, GABC needs a permanent home," he said.

"Having the opportunity to buy both buildings is exactly what we need, but it is a huge financial undertaking."

Local farmer Richard Longthorp, who has the condition, regularly trains at the club.

He said the club "does fantastic work for all of its members whatever their age".

"Everyone can benefit from boxing training, whether you simply want to get a bit fitter and lose a bit of weight, or you've set your sights on being the next Olympic champion," he said.

"There is already waiting list of people who want to train at the club and that will only get longer.

"Without this expansion, they could miss out."

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds .