Boxing club bags share of £13,000 council funding

BOXERS in the east end of Greenock are as proud as punch after landing a share of a £13,000 funding pot to support an influx of new young fighters.

Greenock Boxing Club has been awarded just over £1,500 from Inverclyde Council’s Grants to Voluntary Organisa

tions (GTVO) scheme.

It is one of seven local groups sharing almost £7,000 worth of funding, with a further £6,400 being split between three teams through the Under-19s Sports Grants initiative.

The latest round of GTVO awards takes the total given out in the current financial year to over £250,000.

A further £140,000 worth of U19s sports grants have also been allocated during 2019/20.

Grants to Voluntary Organisations funding March 2020 — Councillor Graeme Brooks
presenting a cheque to
Greenock Boxing Club

Councillor Graeme Brooks, who chairs Inverclyde Council’s Grants Sub Committee, said: “Despite the budget constraints faced by the council, I’m delighted that we are still able to support so many worthwhile groups doing such great work across the district day in, day out.

“These grants support tireless volunteers across Inverclyde who do a tremendous job providing everything from sport and music opportunities for adults and young people to helping people with addiction and health conditions.

“In the past year, the scheme has also supported church groups, playschemes and local scout and girlguiding divisions.

“Greenock Boxing Club is just one of many examples of how the council is supporting voluntary organisations and sports teams across Inverclyde to continue to flourish.”

The club has seen a huge increase in new boxers of late leading to increased opening hours to meet demand.

Head coach Danny Lee said: “We are really grateful for the funding. It really does help.”

The council grant will help pay for running costs at the Bawhirley Road gym and keep entry fees as low as possible for boxers from across Inverclyde who use the gym, particularly the younger generation of fighters.

*Full list of awards:

Grants to Voluntary Organisations

Brass Sounds Inverclyde - £627

Greenock Recovery Alcohol Support Project (GRASP) - £1,500

The Church of St Mary (Heartland Circle) - £1,500

Greenock Boxing Club - £1,400

Girl Guiding Greenock Division - £1,000

Campaign to Save Inchgreen Dry Dock - £1,440

Gourock Business Club - £800

Total - £6,827 (subject to funds being returned by Inverclyde Autistic Support Group (IASG), which is being wound up)

Under-19s

Birkmyre Rugby Club - £2,000