A BOXING club is celebrating after winnng more than £340,000 in grants to expand.

Berinsfield Boxing Club will be doubling in size after a four-year campaign to secure hundreds of thousands of pounds.

South Oxfordshire District Council gave the club £206,230, with the Amateur Boxing Association of England and Oxfordshire County Council’s Youth Opportunity Fund each donating £50,000, and the Robin Greaves Sports Foundation another £40,000.

Building started last week on a £350,000 extension to include a training area, an office, better changing facilities and a young people’s recreation zone.

Member Mel Corrigan said: “It’s been a long, hard journey but it’s been worth it.

“We are a busy and growing club and this means we can stay on the same site.

“But it will also do things for the commmunity. We want to get older people involved and run things like bingo nights. It won’t just be a boxing club.”

He said the grants came because the donors could see the “worthiness” of the club.

Mr Corrigan added: “They can see what we are achieving. We are getting kids off the streets.

“Boxing teaches them discipline and that is a big thing. But it also keeps them fit and gives them another interest. Instead of taking their frustrations out on someone they can hit a punch bag.”

He said the club was the biggest in the county and the improvements would mean it could soon be one of the best club facilities in the country.

He added: “We’re looking forward to the club being a centre of excellence and hope to attract more members.”

Mr Corrigan’s son Lee, who is club chairman, said the club had got every grant it applied for.

He added: “It is an excellent feeling. It has done a lot for the club but also the community.

“It has been an horrendous amount of work but we took the bull by the horns and got on with it.”

Rodney Mann, South Oxfordshire District Council cabinet member for grants, said: “The council is committed to helping promote fitness and healthy lifestyles, so fully supports this excellent project.”

  • club has five qualified coaches and is open to all, aged nine to 40. For details, visit berinsfieldabc.page.tl