East End ABC plea for donations after suspected arson attack
April 16, 2020 | by Matt Halfpenny
Sunderland East End ABC are appealing for donations after a fire at its gym in a suspected arson attack.
Northumbria Police are investigating the incident that took place on Easter Sunday which resulted in smoke damage across the whole first floor and a destroyed rear door.
The club has received a host of offers to help clean up the building ready for use when the club re-opens after the Coronavirus outbreak.
But the five-nights a week club in the Hendon area of the city hopes to raise vital funds to help pay for the repairs.
Coach Dave Robson, who runs the club alongside secretary Robert New, told the Sunderland Echo: “We were absolutely gutted. We put a lot of time and effort into this gym and it takes up a lot of our lives.
“This won’t stop us. We will have this all sorted out. It’s been overwhelming – people offering to help. It makes you realise how much you are appreciated.”
“All of the young people who do attend the boxing gym are devastated by what has happened, and all want to their little bit to help.
“Let’s all pull together as a community, and dig deep to help out our local boxing gym.”
You can donate to Sunderland East End ABC here.
