Finally an update with some good news! Paramount Boxing Club are set to return to Wycliffe with a grant of £75,000 from Sport England to repair the vandalised toilets and kitchen areas.
The grant from Sport England depended upon a ten year lease being in place by the 31st March. However, an expensive survey had to be completed first, and funding sought for this – all during the pandemic. National Grid, who are undertaking major works in the nearby Heaton Norris Park, came to the rescue with a grant to fund the survey, and LawWorks – a charity connecting volunteer lawyers to those in need of their services – kindly introduced Matthew Powell from K& L Gates in London who worked hard to draft and complete the lease in time. This long winded process saw the deadline edge closer and closer, and concerns increased that it wouldn’t be in place in time, and the £75,000 from Sport England would be lost. Frantic last minute efforts from all involved, especially Matthew, ensured the lease was signed (outside on a thankfully pleasant day) by both parties and returned for completion just 6 days before the deadline.
A not for profit organisation, Paramount ran a successful boxing club helping local young people and adults in Wycliffe from 1999 until their move to Whitehill Fire Station in 2014. Following a threatened closure and promising developments at Wycliffe, negotiations began for the club’s return. Paramount provide vital support to both young people and adults, encouraging a focus on fitness and wellbeing whilst helping to achieve a more positive outlook on life. The move to Wycliffe will enable them to look forward to a secure future and provide the opportunity to expand their work with different groups including those with ADHD and ex forces.
Mick Kenyon, founder of the club said “This will make a massive difference to not only Paramount ABC and Wycliffe Church but a generation of youngsters from Stockport and surrounding areas”. Paramount also had to contribute £15,000 in match funding for Sport England but the pandemic limited the events possible. Many thanks go out to Asda, the Vernon Building Society and Hits Radio Cash for Kids for their support as well as all those who helped with bag packs etc. Also just before the deadline, with £5,000 still left to raise, former boxer and coach J & N McKenna Property Development came forward with a generous sponsorship deal to save the day!
A 10 mile sponsored walk up Kinder Scout in several groups of six is planned for April 24th to help raise funds – please visit the Go Fund Me page to help: gf.me/u/zksz88
For more information about the club, visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/138112976235184
Church update
We are still waiting for the planning department to sign the building off as suitable to open following the installation of ventilation in a window, and a supporting pillar in the basement. There is a possibility we could open in the near future, but after last time, we’re not building our hopes up too much! If possible we would be participating in the #ThanksToYou event in June which we had to cancel last time.
We are also in great need of another garden tidy event but this would be limited to follow the guidelines at the time.
Hopefully the next update will have details of opening times and volunteer opportunities!
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