by Nicola Halliday

Sisters who run a gymnastics club forced to close its doors during the coronavirus pandemic fear it may never reopen and are pleading for donations.

Elements Gymnastics Club, a family business run in Dartford by sisters Claire, 30, and Lara Paterson, 34, is now facing an uncertain future with no income or a home for their 150 gym members.

They took the decision to shut the doors on March 20 after the government forced the closure of all bars, gyms and leisure centres nationwide in an effort to stop the spread of the disease.

However, their gym family and parent volunteers couldn’t stand back and let their club fold, so they set up a crowd funding page for those who want to donate to keep the club running.

The decision to close was a bitter blow for the sisters, who have been in business for nearly nine years.

Lara said: “I cried outside the front door, as I did not know when we would reopen. We completely understood why we had to close but we had so much going on with the club that it came at the worst time.

“Five of our gymnasts were due to compete in a British Gymnastics selection event on Saturday, March 21 and this was cancelled.

"Telling the gymnasts was heartbreaking, as they had spent two years preparing for that event"

"Telling the gymnasts was heartbreaking, as they had spent two years preparing for that event.

“It will break us if the club stays permanently closed. For us, this is not just a job, it’s our life and extended family. Gymnastics and our gym family mean everything to us.”

The club members range in age from 3-18 covering grass roots and gold standard gymnastics.

The 15 squads have scooped medals in a number of national competitions with squad member Gabriella Box selected for Team GB’s Junior Women’s Team at the European Championships later in the year.

But without a home, the club members will have to go elsewhere and any future Team GB Olympians may walk through another set of doors or never compete again.

“It has just been amazing to see how everyone can pull together to save our club"

The club set a target of £10,000 through their crowd funding page and so far has raised £1,400.

Lara and her sister have been overwhelmed by the support they have received. She said: “We are so grateful for the community spirit that has been shown by everyone in the face of adversity.

“It has just been amazing to see how everyone can pull together to save our club, which means a lot to everyone; it is not only a place for children to learn gymnastics but also for parents to talk and build friendships and a place for teenagers to learn to coach, gain vital working experience and see friends in a safe environment. We are not just a club, we are a family!”

Anyone who wishes to donate to the club, can do so via this link.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford