A Hereford boxing club is on course to secure a cash windfall after taking part in a new initiative supported by World Cup winners and international sports stars.
The City of Hereford Boxing Academy is one of 75 clubs across the country carefully chosen by sport organisation GiveToLocal as a standard bearer for fundraising potential.
And after coming through a stringent selection process, City of Hereford is already close to transforming its long-term financial future.
“We were overwhelmed at how we had been selected out of hundreds of applications,” said club secretary Kelly Smith.
“With us being such a new and small club it means so much and we are excited to see what being a Focus Club can do for us.
“Securing sustainable funding will mean that we can look at supporting schools, colleges, social services, probation services and young offenders giving – basically giving back to the community as much as we can.”
GiveToLocal was launched in 2019 and works with more than 55,000 teams across 15 sports.
Its aim is to pump an additional £10m into community sport annually by backing sport, boosting business and building networks.
High profile supporters include former England striker Les Ferdinand, England World Cup winning cricketer Mark Wood and Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty.
GiveToLocal’s Focus Clubs initiative was launched in order to find clubs across the country capable of showcasing sport’s power and positivity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Focus Clubs gain early access to the latest version of the GiveToLocal app and receive extra support from staff dedicated to helping teams connect to donors and local sponsors.
Connecting with the local community is the first step towards securing vital, sustainable funding.
“It’s fantastic to have City of Hereford on board as a Focus Club,” said GiveToLocal CEO Neil Gardiner.
“Their application stood out from the crowd and we feel they can help to encourage more boxing clubs get on board with GiveToLocal.
“City of Hereford has a track record for playing a key role at the heart of their local community and fundraising is something they already do very well.
“We’re here to take them to the next level by helping them to secure the sustainable funding that can ensure lasting, positive change.
“As a Focus Club City of Hereford has the opportunity to point the way when it comes to realising fundraising potential.”
Via the groundbreaking GiveToLocal app The City of Hereford Boxing Academy has the potential to connectwith hundreds of local donors.
Donors are asked to pledge a minimum of £3 per month and in return they can access a growing number of offers from local businesses.
GiveToLocal is working closely with The City of Hereford Boxing Academy to bring on board local businesses as sponsors. A minimum £8 per month donation can connect firms at the heart of the community with new customers and help to support sport in the process.
“I love the passion that GiveToLocal has in helping clubs like ours all across the country,” added Kelly.
“To have someone there to help support us and get our name out there will be a massive boost for
us.”
For more information on how your team and club could benefit from becoming part of the GiveToLocal community visit www.givetolocal.com to register now.
