A BOLTON boxing community project has been awarded £5,000 -as part of a £1.5m pilot programme.

The Boxing to You project has helped connect its community with qualified boxing coaches, targeting those of all ages that are unable to attend boxing sessions, due to reasons such as cultural beliefs, unstable home conditions, or reduced income, possibly as a result of the pandemic.

The programme also includes black, Asian and ethnic minority groups and those that are isolated and unable to travel.

Boxing to You will use its funding to contribute to a minibus so that they can continue to deliver their boxing programme to those that are unable to get to them.

The funding has come from IKEA UK and The National Lottery Community Fund, which is part of the pilot programme, ‘Places Called Home’.

Leigh Alexander, secretary and director of Bolton’s Metro Community Boxing Gym, said: “We’re so pleased that National Lottery players and IKEA are supporting our new project to provide people across Bolton with access to boxing classes. This Places Called Home funding will help us increase the boxing sessions we deliver in the community, and ultimately help improve both the mental and physical health of more people.”

The pilot programme is supporting more than 300 local neighbourhood groups across the UK, with grants of up to £5,000 to recover from the pandemics.

The grant is designed to enable communities to take further action around healthy and sustainable living, while learning from each other and building meaningful connections.

It can be used to fund equipment or materials to improve shared spaces, or to run activities that bring people together.

Emma Ackerman, funding strategy Director at The National Lottery Community Fund said: “As we recover from the pandemic, it is clear we can build on the energy and creativity we’ve seen to make stronger communities and a better everyday life.”

All community groups that applied – whether they received funding or not – have been invited to join a community of support.