Darren Harrison runs The Box Gym in Lymm where I am a member and is faced with trying to find a new home.
The site where the gym is on Tanyard Farm is being developed into a new housing estate and I spoke to Darren for a story for the local press.
The following story appeared in the Warrington Guardian and South Warrington News.
A BOXING coach and gym owner from Lymm is appealing to the community to help find them a new home.
Darren Harrison runs The Box on Tanyard Farm but plans have been submitted to build new homes on the site.
He set up the gym three years ago to create a place where children could learn how to box and adults could train with a community feel.
Darren says he hopes to continue his work but with the future of his current gym being uncertain, he is looking for support in finding a new site.
Darren, a former Northern Heavyweight title holder, said: “What we’ve created at The Box has been brilliant with several members making the National Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) finals.
“We have 35 ABA members from Lymm and the surrounding areas and 26 local kids who are going through the ABA awards.
“As a former boxer and a dad of two myself, I feel boxing is a great sport for children, keeping them fit and helping them build confidence.
“We have the fitness side of the gym too where we offer over 40 classes a week from yoga to spin, Insanity and Boxfit.
“My partner Clare provides free childcare for members and we try to give as much as we can to the community and want to continue this but our future is uncertain.”
Plans have been submitted to build homes on the land off Rushgreen Road, behind the Sainsburys supermarket.
Darren, 43, says his landlord has given him a 12 month contract which lasts until July 2018 but he would like to find a new site for the gym much sooner.
He’s invested £40,000 renovating the current gym and still works as a print site manager to fund his venture and would be devastated if he was forced to close.
Darren said: “I would love to hear from anyone who has a suitable unit or land for sale where we could build a new gym so we can have a long term future.
“The Box has been entirely self funded but I’d appreciate any advice on support that might be available for a community gym that is benefiting young people, and an architect to help with plans.
“I feel we have a massive future here in Lymm and it would be really disappointing if that had to stop now.”
If you can help Darren, contact him via www.theboxlymm.com
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