A local gymnastic club has received a boost after match funding from Wales & West Utilities has led to a donation of £300 which will go towards the cost of essential new equipment.
Honiton Gymnastics Club, which has recently moved from the local leisure centre to larger premises on Ottery Moor Lane, will use the money to help purchase new equipment so that elite gymnasts can train to the highest of standards and more provision can be provided for recreational members.
The fundraising appeal was led by Heather Beviss, who has worked as a logistic co-ordinator for gas emergency and pipeline service Wales & West Utilities for over twenty years.
Heather is also a key member of the Supporters’ Association at Honiton Gymnastics Club – which specialises in acrobatic gymnastics and her children both train at and compete for the club. Her son Mathew is currently the reigning British Age Group Champion in the men’s 4 discipline.
Heather Beviss said:
“As a club we have over 350 young people train at Honiton and we are always seeking to raise money which will go towards the cost of equipment and putting on events. These events can often involve gymnasts from across the UK descending on Honiton for national competitions, so you can imagine the scale and costs associated
“We’ve also seen the club grow over the past few years and have recently moved to much larger premises and, of course, with that comes an increased need for equipment.”
The match funding from Wales & West Utilities was donated after Heather raised £150 through a series of events including a ‘jumble for tumble’ clothing collection, cake sale and a BBQ and treasure hunt.
Heather continued:
“We are very grateful for the money we have received from Wales & West Utilities and we hope that the new equipment will encourage more young people to benefit from activities at the club. Without a continued fundraising effort we simply wouldn’t be able to run to the same high standards – we are delighted that this money will help us further.”
Wales & West Utilities People & Engagement Director Sarah Hopkins added:
“We are committed to supporting the fundraising efforts of our colleagues. Heather and the team at the club are doing a fantastic job in raising money to help young people from across the local area experience sport.
“Our match-funding contribution seeks to make the money raised go further and we wish the club the very best of luck for the future.”
Wales & West Utilities has a team of more than 1000 trained and experienced engineers to help serve the 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales that rely on its gas emergency and pipeline services. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.