Boxing gym destroyed in Grenfell inferno opens doors to new home

A boxing gym destroyed in the Grenfell Tower tragedy that claimed 72 lives has officially opened the doors to its new home.

Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club, which was founded more than 60 years ago and had been based in Grenfell Tower since 1999, was left destroyed by water damage following the blaze in June last year.

But the BBC’s DIY SOS stepped in to help create a new gym, as well as a separate community hub, under the winding Westway carriageway, just metres from the scene of the deadly inferno.

The show’s presenter Nick Knowles, former England footballer Dennis Wise and London Mayor Sadiq Khan attended an event that saw the official opening of the gym on Friday.

Mr Khan said: “Over recent decades this historic club has made a huge contribution to the lives of thousands of young people, and it is great to see it back up and running.

“A huge team effort went into the construction of the new base, and thanks must go to all those involved in a project that highlights yet again the resilience and solidarity of the local community.”

Over the years the club successfully nurtured 200 Amateur Boxing Association champions, as well as stars including George Groves and James DeGale.

The new gym was created with the support of Galliard Homes and a host of other contractors and suppliers, and even saw the Duke of Cambridge help in the construction.

Knowles said: “The boxing club is critical to the well-being of the young people and the community and therefore the community itself.

“The guidance and management given there is priceless and we were told by many in the community how important it was.”