A SPORTS club has launched an ambitious fundraising campaign in a bid to secure its future.

Furness Catholic Amateur Boxing Club was founded in 1957 by Pat Ryan whose sons and grandson inherited his passion for the sport and became involved to form Team Ryan.

When Pat passed away aged 85 in 2011, his sons Kevin, Michael and Gary continued his legacy by maintaining the club as coaches, along with Michael’s son Paul. Kevin died in 2016 aged 67.

But now after more than 60 years producing some of the area’s finest boxers the club’s future is in jeopardy.

The owner of the club’s building, at the Lyceum Hall in Dalkeith Street, has put the premises on the market.

As a result the boxing club has launched a fundraising campaign in a bid to raise £75,000 to either buy its current premises or find an alternative base.

On their Go Fund Me page, Paul Ryan said: “The club is a not for profit organisation and have never charged any person coming through the doors of the gym, taking boxers to contests, championships and even abroad at no cost to the boxers.

“The only fundraising the club receives is the revenue generated from our annual boxing dinner show and through charitable donations from our work in the community and schools; money which is reinvested back into the club by replacing equipment and paying fees which keep the club free for all to attend.

“I’m sure every family in the local area has, or knows someone, who has attended our club over the years and we hope that support from the local community and businesses will help us carry on our work.

“Any donations made will help us in securing long term premises for the club, which in turn will enable us to continue our work in the Barrow and Furness communities, keeping kids of the street and channelling energy into sport, health and fitness.”

Visit www.gofundme.com/furness-catholic-boxing-club-secure-our-future to make a donation.