LAST year, I wrote to the letters page to plead with anyone who had an available building to house the amateur boxing club for young people in the Richmond area, JABS ABC (D&S Times, Oct 24).

We were fortunate that a local businessman with a spirit of community from Leyburn offered us a disused commercial property.

The property had been empty for four years and was heavy vandalised. We managed to secure funding from Richmondshire District Council’s COF funds (greatly appreciated), and started work to renew all the plumbing, electrics, walls and to clear the building and yard of years of debris.

After two months hard work and a lot of support from Leyburn businesses and parents we opened in April 2015.

Together we have made a facility that is fit for purpose, no frills (it is boxing after all) but it is safe and secure and has everything our members need to train to realise their dreams.

The club is now forging ahead with this season’s competitions and we are very pleased to announce that we will be holding our Home Show on December 12 at the Catterick Leisure Centre. This will be a great night of amateur boxing and a very special event for us, as this time last year we were under threat of closing down.

If you love boxing or just a good night of entertainment please come along. Doors open at 7pm.

Judith Allan, secretary, JABS ABC, Richmond