Petition is launched to save Shrewsbury boxing club
A petition has been launched to save an historic Shrewsbury boxing club which was attacked by arsonists – with hundreds of people already backing the campaign.
The online petition, called 'Save Shrewsbury Amateur Boxing Club', has started in a bid to find the club a new home after arsonists destroyed up to £15,000 worth of equipment at the John Davies Boxing Centre on Smithfield Road on Sunday.
More than 250 young boxers use the club, which has produced a string of boxing champions since it was set up 52 years ago, including former boxing world champion Richie Woodhall.
Club officials will hand the petition, which has so far collected more than 200 names, to Shropshire Council chiefs on Monday to strengthen their case for needing temporary accommodation.
Graham Robb, who runs the club, said he had met building inspectors who confirmed no structural damage had been caused but there was severe smoke and fire damage.
Mr Robb said: "The aim with the petition is to see whether people are still interested in having a boxing club as we don't want people scared of coming into the gym and we don't know whether this is a vendetta against the club or a burglary gone wrong. We've got a meeting with the council on Monday and we will hand the petition to them then to show the amount of support we've had, which has been nothing short of overwhelming so far. They have said they hope to find us temporary accommodation."
Shrewsbury Maddogs Martial Arts and Grange Village Hall have both offered the club a place to train.
Mr Robb said: "We help people with self esteem, making new friends, weight issues and keeping youngsters off the streets."
Detectives from West Mercia Police said they believe the fire was started by arsonists and are now scouring hours of CCTV footage to try and trace the offenders.
To sign visit www.change.org/petitions/save-shrewsbury-amateur-boxing-club
