New boxing club lands knockout support

A County Durham fitness club is offering new opportunities for young people and adults through the power of sport.

Langley Park Boxing Club has officially opened in the village of Langley Park, welcoming children and adults into its volunteer-run space for fitness, skill-building and competitive training.

Founded by local coach Harry Thorpe, alongside club treasurer James Potter and regional boxing official Paul Bainbridge, the not-for-profit club was launched to give back to the community and support young people.

The club is affiliated with England Boxing, offering members a recognised route into amateur competition. 

It has already celebrated its first regional champion, with young boxer Joel Thorpe taking home the North East Schoolboy title earlier this year.

Harry said: “I just wanted to create something where I could have complete input in shaping not only my own children’s futures, but also support other kids through sport and giving them an opportunity to explore competitive boxing too.

“We’re more than a typical gym – we encourage use of the club for fitness and building confidence and we also have a focus on helping people train for competitions and taking their skills to the next level. 

“Our aim is to provide athletes with the opportunity to enter elite boxing should they wish, and we have developed our offering and training in line with the England Boxing pathway.”

James added: “The club currently welcomes between 25 to 30 young people per session from Langley Park, Witton Gilbert, Sacriston, Esh Winning, Consett, Easington Lane, Chester le Street and the surrounding areas. 

“Young members typically join from age nine in preparation for competitive boxing at age ten and we reinvest proceeds from sessions directly back into club maintenance, equipment and competition costs. 

“The key driver here is to provide a pathway to success, not only developing better boxers, but brighter futures for the young people it serves.”

The project was made possible through support from Karbon Homes, BAM Construction, Lumsden & Carroll and the County Durham Pound. 

After a challenging search for a location, the team secured the former Derwentside Homes Neighbourhood Office through Karbon Homes, which was fully renovated by BAM and its supply chain with £40,000 of investment and over 800 volunteer hours.

Lumsden & Carroll, the housing infrastructure division of Esh Construction, also contributed £10,000 in sponsorship to cover start-up and operational costs.

Clare Gill, social sustainability manager at BAM Construction, added: “We’re proud to have initiated and led the transformation of what was once an unused building into a vibrant, modern boxing club. 

“It’s been incredible to see this space completely revitalised, bringing new life and energy to the heart of the community. 

“Alongside our supply chain, we’re honoured to have delivered a facility that will inspire the next generation of athletes and support positive opportunity for everyone involved.”

Paul Moralee, community investment manager at Karbon Homes, added: “As a Karbon colleague, Harry reached out to Karbon’s community investment team for advice and help with getting this project off the ground. 

“Straight away we knew this would be a project that would bring a much-needed health and wellbeing provision to the Langley Park community and would massively benefit our customers who lived there, so we jumped to helped Harry set up a community interest company to get the ball rolling.

“The gym building itself is owned by Karbon, but had sat empty for a while after closing as a local neighbourhood office, so we were really pleased to be able to work with Harry and our facilities team to get a change of lease in place to give the gym a home. 

“Through our Community Investment Fund we were also able to support the project with a grant for £3600 to go towards set up costs, to safely run the club and ensure its long-term success and viability.”

The club now operates every evening with sessions open to children from the age of nine to adults in their forties. 

Facilities include professional-grade punch bags, Concept2 rowers and ski machines – offering a space for beginners and future champions alike.

Ross Markwell, business development director at Esh Construction, added: “As a local contractor with deep roots in the area, supporting Langley Park Boxing Club is something we’re incredibly proud to be part of.

“Many of our employees, subcontractors, and their families live in and around the village, so giving back to the community that’s helped shape our business means a lot to us. 

“We’re always keen to invest in the next generation and providing them with opportunities on their doorstep benefits the whole community.”

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