Fyrish Gymnastics Club plea for help saving life-changing Alness base
A SUCCESSFUL Ross-shire gymnastics club catering for 800 young people is calling on the Highland community to help it secure its premises after a shock revelation.
Fyrish Gymnastics Club in Alness has become a firm favourite with hundreds of aspiring gymnasts from tots to teens, employing around 10 people and benefiting from many more volunteers.
It had been hoping to purchase the former call centre building it currently leases from BT for around £150,000 but the asking price has since mushroomed to £400,000.
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The club was given the opportunity to buy the premises 11 months ago, sparking a fundraising drive.
But it says that last month it “received the unexpected news that the offer was withdrawn with immediate effect and they now want over double the original offer”.
It is working to secure 80 per cent funding from a community ownership fund but to do so need to raise 20 per cent of the total in match funding, approximating to £80,000.
Fundraising to date has hauled in £10,000 and it’s now looking to find the other £70,000. It says: “This would enable us to complete the community ownership fund and hopefully secure our club.”
A GoFundMe appeal states: “We know this is a big ask and a huge amount of money but we love our club so much and we need to try to secure it so our gymnasts still have a gym to come to.”
It’s understood BT has provided a lease at a reduced rental to date. The telecoms giant has been contacted for comment.
BT confirmed plans to close two of its call centre facilities in Alness back in November last year. At the time it said around 90 per cent of affected employees at its sites at Teaninich Industrial Estate opted for "enhanced" redundancy, while others remained locked in consultation.
If you can help, please email fundraising.fyrishgymnastics@gmail.com
What difference has the Fyrish Gymnastics Club made in your life? Share your stories by emailing hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk
