A boxing club in Lowestoft has received a £4,000 funding boost from Persimmon Homes Anglia.

Lacey’s Boxing Club seeks a new home and facilitates boxing training for more than 100 fighters every week.

Persimmon Homes Anglia, a five-star housebuilder, decided to aid the club after learning about its commendable efforts to support underprivileged young individuals in the town.

The club not only trains boxers from age five onwards but also fosters inclusivity, accepting referrals from children’s services, refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine and ex-military personnel coping with PTSD.

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Founder Ben Poole said: “This isn’t just a boxing club, we work with young people who have been referred to us through children’s services, we have refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine and we have ex-service people who are dealing with PTSD who train here."

A young member of the club, Denim Brooks, who was previously excluded from training because of his Cerebral Palsy, said: “Gyms would not let me train because they said their insurance would not cover me.

"Then I came here and Ben made it possible.

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Currently operating from a temporary location after Boston Lodge closed earlier this year, the club aims to use the funds for building a new ring, destined for their future permanent clubhouse.

Cllr Janet Craig, Harbour and Normanston ward member for East Suffolk Council, said: “It is great to see that Persimmon Homes are getting involved in our town and giving back to a community in which they are building homes."

Jorden Knell, sales director for Persimmon Homes Anglia, said: “It has been a pleasure to meet the young boxers here today and see how the club has helped them, not only providing a safe place for many of the boxers but an opportunity for them to keep fit whilst being part of a great club and community."