Hawich Boxing Club gets a helping hand
27th August 2025
Harwich Boxing Club has received a welcome funding boost from the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund with a grant of £1,500 to support its growing success at local, national, and international competitions.
The volunteer-run club, founded in 1997, provides affordable training for children and adults, keeping costs low to ensure everyone in the community can take part. Over the past year, its boxers have competed across the UK and Europe, including in Paris, Spain, London and Newcastle and have had many successes.
The Mayflower Legacy Fund was set up by Cllr Ivan Henderson in 2020 during his Mayoral year and is managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
Since it was established, the fund has awarded over £12,700 in grants including The Ark Family Resource Centre, Teen Talk (Harwich), Home-Start Harwich, Tall Ships Youth Trust, and 4th Dovercourt Sea Scouts.
Cllr Ivan Henderson visited the club. He said: “I am delighted that the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund is supporting Harwich Boxing Club. I know first-hand the difference it makes, giving young people opportunities, discipline, and pride.
The club has a strong track record of success, but this involves costs for travel, accommodation, entry fees, and subsistence, in addition to the essential day-to-day expenses of running the club such as rent, insurance, and utilities.
This grant will help ensure the club can continue to thrive and compete at the highest levels while staying open to everyone in the community.”
Martin Webb who runs the Harwich Boxing Club said: “We are so grateful to receive this funding which allow our boxers to compete at the highest levels and provide a safe and welcoming space for young people to learn discipline, build respect, stay physically active, and receive guidance on health and wellbeing.”
Among the club’s success stories is Rio Gordon, now aged 24, who joined Harwich Boxing Club in 2014. He has since won multiple national titles and represented England on seven occasions. His achievements are an inspiration to younger members and highlight the impact the club continues to have on young people in Harwich and beyond.
Rio said: “I’ve been training at Harwich Boxing Club since I was a kid. It’s given me so much, from fitness and discipline to the chance to compete for my country. Funding like this means the younger boxers coming through will also have the same opportunities I did.”
The Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund was set up in 2021 is now valued at over £73,000 providing an annual source of funding to support local charities and voluntary groups.
Along with donations from local people and businesses, Cllr Henderson has been able to boost the value of the Fund by adding monies available under the Essex County Council Locality funding scheme which provides County Councillors with £5,000 that they can award to local charities in their area. In addition, the funds have been matched by 50% with money available from the Essex Police Proceeds of Crime Scheme, also managed by ECF.
On visiting the club, Cllr Henderson said, “When we set up the Legacy Fund, it was about creating something that local people and businesses could make donations to, knowing they would be supporting local projects that make a lasting difference. Harwich Boxing Club is a perfect example of this. It is run by volunteers, embedded in the community, and has helped countless young people over the years.”
He added, “I really would encourage local people and businesses to think about supporting the fund with a donation or consider leaving a gift in their will. It is a great way to know that your gift or legacy will support your local community and continue giving year after year.”
Zoe Brampton, Grants Manager at ECF said: “Coastal communities often face unique challenges when it comes to accessing services and facilities, and this is where local charities step in to make a real difference. Harwich and Dovercourt has so much energy and commitment from the community and having a fund dedicated to supporting projects in one area is hugely valuable.”
For more information about the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund or to make a donation, please contact Perry Norton on 01245 355947 or by email.
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For charities and voluntary groups working in the Tendring and Harwich area with a deadline for applications of 29 September.