Youth and boxing club campaigns to reinstate £1.2m funding after 'massive loss'
The Lifstan Boys and Girls Club had been awarded the huge funding boost to redevelop their home in Liftsan Way but cash was pulled after the project was deemed 'unviable'.
Social Investment Business, a firm which handles funding projects for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, cancelled the project earlier this month over time constraints and concerns it would not be value for money.
Campaign - The club is relying on community support to get behind the campaign. (Image: Danny Neville)
Now, the 100-year-old club is launching a widespread campaign across social media calling for the decision to be reversed and has written to Sir Keir Starmer and Secretary of State Lisa Nandy.
Jay Solder, youth club deputy director, said: 'We're hoping to apply pressure to get the funding reinstated, lobbying as hard as we can and make people aware of our situation.
'We encourage people to lend a hand to the campaign to help get this decision overturned.'
Survival - The future of the 100 year legacy club rests on the success of the campaign. (Image: Danny Neville)
Monday evening saw the club meet with Bayo Alaba, Labour MP for Southend East and Rochford, who pledged to help the club in their endeavour.
Mr Solder added: 'We hope Mr Alaba can help us turn things around - he's pledged to help us progress our campaign and is being really proactive by engaging with ministers and cross-party colleagues.'
The campaign involves a rigorous, high-visibility social media push that's 'really taking off with a real show of support from the local community.'
Team - Coaches and members of the club are rallying together. (Image: Danny Neville)
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100-year-old Southend youth club has £1.2m Government funding for new home pulled
Southend businesses and lifelong club members have been in contact, with offers of donation and endorsement to help keep the club afloat
With the campaign gaining momentum, the club hopes to rescue the funding.
Mr Solder said: 'We're throwing all our efforts to make this visible and public, and it's really important that we're successful to avoid the closure of the club.
'Our clubs are a long-term feature of the youth scene in Southend - to potentially lose them would be a massive loss for the city in a time where there is such a shortage of youth provision in the area.
'This is no longer just a story about a lost grant, it's a live accountability and legacy issue.'
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