Boxing Club receives a boost from mhs community chest
mhs homes has recently donated
£750 to Strood Amateur Boxing Club to buy new sports and training
equipment through it’s Community Chest Grant Scheme.
The club which opened in October 2008
has been struggling to survive particularly since it is self
funded. It is run by Head Coach Chris Ripley from Strood who has
been in the ring since the tender age of seven when his father also
worked as a coach at St Mary’s ABC in Chatham coaching the likes of
Steve Kirby. Chris believes that Boxing offers young people an
alternative to getting into trouble. The HGV driver charges minimum
fees to members catering for the local lads who otherwise wouldn’t
be able to afford to train. He said, "It’s always been a dream of
mine to do something for the community to help get young people off
the streets."
Over sixty young people between the
ages of 8 and 28 attend the Strood ABC Boxing Club every week. The
club is open between 6pm and 8.45pm three times a week September -
June when the boxing season ends.
Coaches Kevin Coleman and Chris
Ripley who give up their spare time to help train youngsters
received a Pride in Medway award this year. Chris and Kevin were
put forward for a Community Involvement Award by Luna Travers whose
two daughters attend the club. Luna said, "Chris and Kevin give all
their time to the club encouraging adults and children who go
along. There is very little for kids in the area to do. Boxing is a
very disciplined sport and it helps my children in many ways."
Eileen Kenward, Chairman of mhs
community charity said, "The Community Chest Grant scheme is a
funding stream designed to support individuals, voluntary and
community organisations to deliver projects which contribute to our
local communities. We gave the money to the club because we were
impressed with what they are doing for local young people. Anything
that encourages our youngsters off the streets and channels their
energy into something positive is an advantage and deserves support
to keep going."