A LOCAL boxing club with Olympic ambitions has transformed an old hay barn into a training facility with the help of Western Power Distribution (WPD).
Crewkerne Boxing Club, which has 70 members and started its weekly training sessions in August, previously used Misterton Village Hall as its headquarters.
WPD supplied a team of apprentices to work on the facility as part of its community outreach programme.
The apprentices helped turn the barn (originally just three walls and a roof) into an insulated building with windows, doors, two mezzanine floors, toilets, and a kitchen.
As well as a training space, the facility will be an area for people to socialise and develop life skills.
Crewkerne Boxing Club’s Larry Mills said: “People come from all walks of life. We’ve got people aged from five to 62.
“Boxing training is beneficial for everyone, it doesn’t matter what age or gender you are, or what background you’re from. Boxing is a great way to get fit, develop positive mental health and make friends.”
Kate Hornby, a mum of two boys with ADHD, has noticed the difference going to the club has made on them.
She said: “Their behaviour has improved dramatically at home and at school.”
The club hopes its new facilities will attract more youngsters and encourage older people to keep fit.
With young club members already fighting in championships across the country and in Europe, Larry predicted: “We will have Olympic boxers coming out of this club at some point.”
Alison Sleightholm, WPD’s resources and external affairs director, said: “The club has really made an impact since it started and our team in South Somerset were keen to support it.
“It’s providing a positive focus for young people in the town and we’re glad to have been able to help out.”
WPD is the distribution network operator for the Midlands, South West England and South Wales.
It distributes electricity to eight million customers and is committed to investing around £1 billion into its network every year.
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