A Cumbrian gymnastic club has been given a £500 boost from contractors working on a flood management scheme in its town.
Kendal Gymnastics Club has been awarded the cash from VolkerStevin, which is constructing flood defences on behalf of the Environment Agency.
When completed, the defences aim to better protect 1,920 homes and 2,250 businesses from the impact of flooding when completed.
The funds to the club came through the VolkerStevin Community Giving Pot, an initiative allows employees to apply for funding to support activities and events that are important to the community.
The club has recently been awarded the British Gymnastics Awards 2026 Community Club of the Year title, the North of England Gymnastics Association award in recognition of the club’s 50 years in the sport and were shortlisted for the National Community Coach of the Year.
VolkerStevin Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme customer engagement co-ordinator, Rose Hodson presented the cheque to members of the club.
VolkerStevin Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme project manager Richard Birchall said: “Kendal Gymnastics Club has been at the heart of the town for 50 years, and we are delighted to have been able to support them through our community funding to help continue the great work they do.”
The club’s head coach Chris Wrigley said: “It has been a fantastic start to the year, receiving this funding and winning these two awards.
“We are grateful for this funding which has allowed us to purchase new equipment we needed.
“Donations and grants are so important to help us run and develop the club.
“We all work and it’s all done by people in their spare time, it’s parents, it’s ex-gymnasts. It’s a range of people and they all get attached to the club and attached to the sport and you can’t get away from it.”
