A JustGiving crowdfunding page has been set up to help raise funds for Norton Radstock ABC, a local amateur boxing club run by volunteers.

Local company, Arkonik Limited, have helped to get the ball rolling with a generous donation of £500. The club looks to train young boxing enthusiasts in to the champions of tomorrow.

Formed in 2013 under the original name of Haydon Hill, the club enjoyed its time in the shared premises based on Haydon Hill Trading Estate. Due to growing membership numbers, it was agreed between the coaches that the club needed to move, and have its own identity.

After a conversation with Total Fitness Gym in Coombend, Radstock, which had been empty, it was agreed that the coaches could move in and redecorate it to resemble the boxing club that you see today. 5th March 2015 was the club’s first open night, after the task of cleaning, painting and restoring the old building was complete.

Today, the club is run by two England Boxing-qualified coaches: Sean Jenkins and Jeff White, and has a membership number close to sixty. Since the move, the club has enjoyed the highs and lows of their boxers competing on the amateur circuit, with the highlight to date of having boxer Max Francis represent the county of Somerset and Bristol in a team match against Devon – a bout he won on points.

However, as with every amateur club, having financial stability has always eluded them.

Jeff said: “Having financial backing through sponsorship or a Crowdfunding page, like club member, Ryan Dimery-Seek has created, is so very important for any amateur sports club – none more so than a boxing club that is

totally reliant on membership fees when it comes to buying equipment, gym improvements and boxers’ medical fees. The existence of our club is crucial for the local area, so any donation, however large or small, would be just

rewards for all the hard work and effort that goes in to running it, especially when you bear in mind we both volunteer our time.”

This month, Radstock ABC, which also trains senior boxers, is welcoming England Talent Pathway coach, Les Brooking, to visit the club for a training session.

Writing on the JustGiving page, fundraising organiser and club patron, Ryan Dimery-Seek, said: “Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club is a small, local club with dedicated, hard-working coaches and a regular, enthusiastic group.

“The club has no sponsorship and relies solely on membership fees for funding. I’m looking to raise £1,000 to purchase a new jigsaw foam floor system for the gym. Any donations, big or small, would be greatly appreciated.”

Training nights at the club are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. for juniors/beginners, and 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. for seniors. To make enquiries, please contact Sean on: 07727 041615.

At the time of writing, the JustGiving page had reached £520 of its £1,000 target. To support the appeal, please visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nortonradstockamateurboxingclub