Young boxing enthusiasts in Coventry to benefit from new ring after club is awarded £5k grant

Young boxing enthusiasts in Coventry will have the opportunity to go toe-to-toe in a brand-new ring after being awarded the very first grant from a six-figure funding pot which will benefit communities across the city.

Bell Green ABC (Amateur Boxing Club) has been awarded £5,000 by Heart of England Community Foundation after the grant-giving organisation joined together with Coventry City Council to unlock dormant assets to benefit the voluntary and community sector in Coventry.

The ringfenced charitable funds, which were donated to the council by philanthropists hundreds of years ago for causes not relevant to today’s society, were uncovered by the Foundation in conjunction with the Charity Commission’s revitalising trusts initiative, which highlights dormant charity assets that have been lost in the system over long periods of time.

The money has been added to the Foundation’s own funds that target improving communities across Coventry, which in-turn create a long-term source of income for the voluntary and community sector in the city.

Bell Green ABC, based at Bell Green Working Men’s Club, was the very first recipient of a grant from the funds and has used the £5,000 to purchase a new boxing ring as well as paint to revamp the gym, creating a more welcoming space.

The club was taken over by Damon Croft just last year, and it has since gone from strength to strength, welcoming an increasing number of young people through the door and being a recognised name in the boxing circuit.

Damon hopes that the new ring will see even more local children take up the sport.

He said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Heart of England Community Foundation and Coventry City Council for this grant.

“Having a brand-new facility like this will have a massive impact on the club. We’ve been on a really good journey so far, but we do lose some children because they move on to clubs with better facilities. The new ring will change that.

“I’m extremely passionate about boxing and have worked hard to transform the classes so that they are really fun for children of all ages.

“Boxing has so many benefits for young people – it not only helps with fitness, but also improves their focus, self-discipline and confidence, and we’ve had so many parents comment on how much their child’s behaviour and manners have improved since being with us.

“The gym also provides young people with a safe space to come where they feel comfortable and can make new friends, rather than them hanging around on the streets or being in front of screens.

“I have so many plans for the future – I’ve already started doing voluntary work with young people who aren’t in mainstream schooling, but I’ll also be looking to expand what we offer at the gym including launching some new fitness classes for adults, and the new ring will really support this.”

Tina Costello OBE, chief executive of the Foundation, said: “It is fantastic to have worked with Coventry City Council to unlock these dormant assets for the benefit of the voluntary and community sector in Coventry.

“It’s not unusual for councils to have incredibly historic assets such as these, and we have the expertise and local knowledge to both manage these funds and ensure they reach the communities where they are needed most.

“We are extremely pleased to have awarded the very first grant from this funding to Bell Green ABC.

“The club has had a significant positive impact on the Bell Green community, and it shares our values of creating happier, healthier, fairer lives for all. We wish them every success for the future.”

Cllr Kamran Caan, cabinet member for Public Health and Sport, added: “It’s fantastic to see the first grant awarded to Bell Green ABC, which will make a real difference to young people across Coventry.

“This investment not only helps to grow boxing in the city but also provides a safe and positive space for young people who want to take part in a new sport.

“We are proud to work with the Heart of England Community Foundation to unlock these valuable resources and continue to support initiatives that strengthen our communities.”