After a quarter-of-a-century of helping the community, a popular boxing club is asking locals to return the favour.

Gravesham Amateur Boxing Club, based at Cygnets Leisure Centre in Northfleet, is in desperate need of renovation as equipment used to train generations of fighters begins to show its age.

From damaged flooring to broken speed balls, worn out gloves to battered old punching bags, the club is hoping to receive a major injection of cash to breathe new life into its hallowed hall.

While the club is primarily concerned with simply giving people from all walks of life the chance to develop their physique, get fit, and have fun, it has also provided a pathway to elite level boxing.

Chev Clarke trains there and has fought on the world stage at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with his most recent success of note coming with the award of a European Championships silver medal.

“Gravesham ABC has served me amazingly,” said the 26-year-old, who has won four national titles.

“Through boxing I have gained self-confidence. It makes you aware of things you can and can’t do. Little things I would trip over in the past, I now step over.

“All the time invested in me at Gravesham ABC has helped me tremendously. It’s given me direction, discipline, and quite frankly I’m not sure where I’d be without it.”

He hopes to turn pro in future, but for now has his eyes set on representing Great Britain at the World Championships later this summer and the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, having fallen short of a podium finish with Jamaica three years ago.

Should Gravesham ABC receive the funding it needs, he has no doubt that other talented youngsters will emerge and stake a claim for national and international recognition.

Jordan Cramer, 25, helps run fitness sessions for youngsters at the club, having been taught how to box there himself when he was a teenager.

“The number of people coming through the gym, whether it’s boxers or just our keep fit classes, means it got to the point where we just thought the club needed a renovation,” he said.

“Eighty percent of people who use the gym are youngsters. I started going down there when I was 13.

“I had anger issues when I was younger, I lived with my nan, and she said why not try the boxing gym.

“People from all walks of life come down — kids with learning difficulties, people like myself who were brought up in not the most privileged background, people who want a place to train — so it’s a really important place for the community.”

For the younger attendees, having someone like Chev still training at the gym a couple of days a week provides plenty of inspiration.

Even with all his success, he certainly hasn’t forgotten his boxing roots.

Jordan continued: “A lot of the kids say they want to be like Chev.

“He comes back with his belts sometimes and lets some of the kids take it home for the night.

“It’s great for them to have someone like that to look up to.”

The club has proved itself as a fantastic training ground for talented boxers and a home away from home for those who need it.

To help keep it going, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/graveshamabc.

For more pictures, see next week's Gravesend Messenger.