Eastbourne boxing group gains new studio

Glove Up For Good is a boxing community based in Eastbourne that focuses on charitable works and community spirit by encouraging people to train and enjoy boxing.

The new premises at The Warehouse, on George Street in Hailsham, is currently going through a transformation period so it can open in a couple of weeks.

Hannah Isom and Sam Buchanan run the boxing group together alongside a coaching team. Sam won three Scottish boxing titles when he was younger, and the coaching team includes a Spanish World Champion.

The group started out in June of this year, running outdoor sessions by Shinewater Lake – something that Sam said became ‘very successful’. Now that the colder weather is coming, the indoor studio means it will be able to continue with the training sessions.

Rent is covered by local businesses, and companies have also helped out with the process of transforming the studio through donations. This has allowed Glove Up For Good to offer free training to under 16s.

Sam said how beneficial the sessions are to members, and how it is ‘open to everyone’.

He said, “Many people we see struggle with mental health and addiction. One girl had agoraphobia – a condition that meant she struggled with leaving her house – but she’s now completed the Three Peaks challenge with us.”

Currently, the youngest member is five years old, and anyone is welcome to get involved – the studio will be running seven days a week.

As well as boxing sessions, the group carries out lots of fundraising.

Since June, the group has been fundraising for Fegans, a charity that counsels children and supports parents to transform broken lives and relationships.

This fundraising has involved a number of challenges, including a trek from Eastbourne to Brighton, a 150k bike ride for 150 years of Fegans, and a 12k nuclear rush race this month.

In November, the group is taking part in the challenge ‘5k all day’ – which takes place from 6am-6pm running as many laps of Shinewater Lake as possible.

These challenges have raised more than £4,000 since June.

Glove Up For Good is also carrying out a Christmas mission. From now until two weeks before the big day, it will be taking gift donations to make up boxes for disadvantaged people during the festive season.

Sam said, “We’ve had so many donations it’s unreal. We want to make Christmas special for people.”

The studio will be opening in a couple of weeks, but the exact date is yet to be confirmed.

Anyone wanting to keep up with what Glove Up For Good is doing, get involved with fundraising or boxing sessions, or wanting to donate to the Christmas mission, should go to the Facebook page ‘Glove Up For Good’.