Bosses need £8,500 to save Wellington Boxing Club
Members of a boxing club in Wellington need to find £8,500 to pay off their debts – or risk losing their home.
The cash is needed by Wellington Boxing Club, set up just 18 months ago, and a fundraising campaign has been launched by members.
Officials claimed the club, which has more than 60 members and 25 registered boxers, is giving youngsters something constructive to do with their spare time.
A black tie fundraising event with 12 fights on the bill, which is due to be attended by Telford's former middleweight world champion Richie Woodall and the former British and Commonwealth champion Michael Watson, will be held on November 16.
And organisers are calling on businesses to help out by sponsoring a round or a fight.
Ken Purchase, from the British Boxing Hall of Fame, helped organise the event.
He said: "These kids need to find the money because otherwise the place will get shut down.
"They're a great bunch and at the end of the day, having the club is keeping them off the streets. It gives them something to do."
Mo Fiaz, head coach at Wellington Boxing Academy, said: "The money is needed to pay the rent and the rates for the club."
The black tie evening will see 12 boxers from the academy taking on boxers from all over the UK.
Mr Purchase said: "It will be great to have Richie there and Telford has proved through him that the town can produce a world champion."
The event will start at 6.30pm at the Whitehouse Hotel and tickets cost £75, including dinner. Businesses can sponsor a round of a fight for £25, a whole bout for £100 or take out an advertisement in the programme.
Call Mr Purchase on 07976 842383 or Mr Fiaz on 07891 772259 or e-mail kp@bbhof.co.uk
