Thousands of pounds awarded to groups in Dorset

Many local clubs across the county have been hit hard by the pandemic and were excited to receive the extra funding

Thousands of pounds have been awarded to groups in Dorset such as Bridport Boxing Club, which inspires young people through sport.

Dorset Community Foundation teamed up with Made By Sport, a national charity which raises awareness of the power of playing and competing in sport, to distribute more than £32,000 in grants to clubs and groups working with young people to develop life skills, improve job prospects or reduce anti-social behaviour and crime.

Many local clubs across the county have been hit hard by the pandemic and were excited to receive the extra funding.

One of the recipients, Bridport Boxing Club, received £2,021 to help with its running costs.

A spokesman for the club said it has lost income after being forced to close for a year. Although it has now reopened, it has had to spend its reserves on its fixed costs.

The spokesman said: Since reopening we have been surprised by the need of the club to the young people of the area, we are now having to restrict numbers due to our lack of funds. The funding will ensure the club remains open and will cover all running and reopening costs until we can restart fundraising and increase membership numbers again.

Buckhorn Weston Cricket Club near Gillingham will use their £2,021 grant to launch two new junior teams for ages four to eight and eight to 11 as part of an England and Wales Cricket Board initiative.

Treasurer Chris Sledge said the grant will cover the cost of equipment and maintenance after the club lost a year of fundraising.

He said: The funding will make us properly equipped to coach and encourage young players to learn, enjoy and become proficient at playing cricket and to benefit from their interactions with each other and with their coach.

SturYouth Club in Sturminster Newton will coach older members to become junior leaders and then get them to organise outdoor activities at Dorset Forest School over the summer holidays.

Youth worker Dawn Ball said the club has not been able to meet for a year because its base is on Sturminster Newton High School’s site. We want to introduce something new and exciting to the young people of Sturminster Newton, and something that will not necessarily confine us to a building.

Dorset Community Foundation director Grant Robson said: These grants will help these brilliant groups use sport and physical activity as a force for good, encouraging and engaging young people and giving them a focus for their energy. The great thing about these activities is that they give youth workers an opportunity to build up trust and respect with young people and that allows them to make a real difference in their lives. We are very pleased to be able to play a part in that.