Persimmon gives youngsters a fighting chance

12 June 2024

A boxing club is looking ahead to a bright future after being handed a cheque for £4,000 from Persimmon Homes Anglia.

The five-star housebuilder has donated funds to Lacey’s Boxing Club, also known as Lowestoft Boxing Academy, after hearing about the work they do supporting underprivileged youngsters in the town. The club sees 100 fighters through the door each week, aged from five through to adults.

Ben Poole, who founded the club, said: “This isn’t just a boxing club, we work with young people who have been referred to us through children’s services, we have refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine and we have ex-service people who are dealing with PTSD who train here. We want to take away any barrier that prevents people from taking part in their chosen sport.”

Denim Brooks, 16, comes from a family of boxers but his Cerebral Palsy diagnosis meant he had been excluded from the sport. “Gyms would not let me train because they said their insurance would not cover me,” he said. “Then I came here and Ben made it possible. I have been boxing for 10 months and it has given me a massive confidence boost. I come from a family of professional fighters and it has been a dream come true to be able to following that tradition.”

The club is currently in a temporary base and looking for a permanent home after the closure of Boston Lodge earlier this year. The money has helped them build a new ring which will take pride of place in their new home.

Cllr Janet Craig, Harbour & Normanston Ward Member for East Suffolk Council, said: “It is great to see that Persimmon Homes are getting involved in our town and giving back to a community in which they are building homes. They are helping to provide facilities here that are of great benefit to our residents.”

Jorden Knell, Sales Director for Persimmon Homes Anglia, said: “It has been a pleasure to meet the young boxers here today and see how the club has helped them, not only providing a safe place for many of the boxers but an opportunity for them to keep fit whilst being part of a great club and community. Like Persimmon, they are creating a legacy within the community here in Lowestoft and we are delighted to have been able to offer them this funding to continue that vital work.”

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