Darnhill and Heywood amateur boxing club had been established on darnhill estate for over 60 years (since 1965). During this time it has been an essential learning provision and sports facility to the darnhill and Heywood community. The club was a hub for children and adults of all ages to meet, learn new skills, and keep healthy. The club produced many talented boxers under the local coaching team and volunteers. Sadly the boxing club burnt down in 2015. To keep the club alive, a committee was formed, headed by Dale Gaucas, with people from the community and local professionals with a vision to help bring the club back from the ashes, and help make a difference to the community.

The committee has worked on a voluntary basis for over 10 years, dedicating their time and effort to fundraise, and to give the community back the boxing gym that had served it so well. The vision has developed to go beyond boxing alone, and has transformed into one of a community club for this economically deprived and diverse community that has seen many local facilities closed or demolished. A place to provide education, training, employment, welfare, health, and leisure opportunities, while bringing back the boxing club that has been an essential part of the community's DNA.

The committee staged numerous funding events, backed by Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn, Connor Benn, and other national sportsmen and women. £60,000 was raised by the local community, and this money was used to obtain architect drawings, engage with surveyors, and to secure and prepare the land for building. The committee was then awarded £300,000 from Valencia Queen's Jubilee Project. This money was used to build the shell of the building, but due to the covid pandemic, and the increase of the cost of materials, we are seeking to finish the project, and require a further £300,000 to complete the building internal facilities, and to purchase the gym equipment, to complete this project and allow the community to use the Darnhill and Heywood ABC and Self-Development Centre CIC, and for it to thrive.

We'd be grateful for your help on this journey.