A cash boost has helped a church minister become a contender with a young team in Erskine.
Reverend David Nicolson has secured £780 from the Glasgow Airport FlightPath Fund to launch weekly boxing fitness classes for youngsters attending the town’s Park Mains High School.
The minister for Erskine Parish Church had already taken part in a course at the famed Hatton Boxing Academy to learn the skills needed to set up the classes for S1 and S2 pupils.
And with the newly-acquired grant, he was able to purchase the 10 sets of boxing gloves and pads needed to get the sessions underway last week.
Rev David, who has been minister of the popular church since 2019, said: “We are profoundly grateful to the FlightPath Fund for giving us the seed investment required to get this project up and running.
“It’s an exciting new venture for both the church and the high school.
“The non-contact classes are centred around fun, fitness and focus and have been going well. Boxing training is an outstanding way to improve cardiovascular fitness, improve coordination, balance, and has even been shown to offer mental health benefits.
“As well as this, we aim to focus on respect, discipline, and even a little mindfulness – so, it’s a complete workout.”
More than £130,000 is being made available by the FlightPath Fund in 2023 to support community groups, charities and sustainability-themed projects local to Glasgow Airport.
A total of £79,000 has been awarded so far this year to 42 diverse groups.
The fund’s committee is continuing to urge neighbouring groups and organisations to submit applications and is keen to support sustainability-themed projects aimed at improving the environment in the communities local to the airport.
The FlightPath Fund was established in 2010 in a bid to share the success of the airport with its surrounding communities. It seeks to provide financial support to community groups and charities committed to improving the opportunities, facilities and services available to local people.
Funding awards will continue to focus on three key areas including employability, education and the environment. For more information on the fund, log on to www.glasgowairport.com/community
The committee will meet on September 1 to consider the next round of applications.
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