A Harrogate boxing and martial arts gym is fighting for its survival after months of enforced closure as a result of coronavirus.
H Hour Boxing and Kao Loi, based on Skipton Road, has seen its funding dry up over the last year as it continues to pay the bills without any income.
The gym has received some government funding but the owners claim that it often misses out because it is based in an expensive area.
Despite its ongoing closure the gym owners still have to pay £1,000 a month for rent plus utility bills on top. All the coaches are volunteers.
To try and build up its finances again the head coach, Rob Smith, has decided to do a skydive to try and raise £5,000 for the gym.
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Mr Smith, who used to work in the army and is also the chair at the British Boxing Board of Control for the central area, told the Stray Ferret:
“If we go down, then the Kao Loi side of the gym would also go down. We do not want that to happen.
“We have got some money left to see us into the next month but beyond that we need to be open again and get the revenue coming in.
“To try and bring some money in, I am going to do a skydive for my 50th birthday. I have asked for £5,000 but that’s a dream really.
“We need some money to keep going. We are fighting for survival. A lot of clubs have closed. We do not want to close, it’s a lifeline for so many.”
