A big fundraising drive has been launched to get the decimated Dunree Boxing Club back on its feet again.
The club’s equipment, at Celtic Park just outside Buncrana, was washed away in Tuesday night’s flash flooding.
The brick walls on the shed that houses the club were torn down by the manacing waves and the heart swept from the club.
“The placed is just totally destroyed, totally wrecked,” Dunree BC coach Fergal Doyle said.
“Most of our equipment is gone down the river. It’s a disaster. The water was as high as the goalposts on the football field, the owner of the shed was able to tell us.
“We had a treadmill carried 60 metres away. We have a ring inside that 30 men wouldn’t lift and it was just moved as if it was a football being kicked away. That’s just the force of nature.
“We have lost everything. I would say the fish in the Crana River are wearing our headgear.”
Dunree BC have appealed for equipment as it attempts to fight back.
“We are trying to help restore the club and find them a new home while the rebuild continues across Buncrana and Inishowen. We need everything – from gloves and mits, to exercise mats to treadmills and bikes,” said Dunree BC’s Pauline Doyle, who has set up a GoFundMe page for donations.
“The club is hugely popular with kids in the Buncrana area, with up to 40 members aged from just 7 to 15. The club has been totally wiped out, with all of it’s equipment destroyed.
“If you have any equipment you can donate to get the kids back to work at the gym, or if you can spare some cash to contribute to replacing it, any help is greatly appreciated.
“As well as equipment, we also need cash donations for paint, flooring etc, and special equipment that we cannot get through donations. Every penny will help. Thanks so much for your support.”
To donate to the Dunree BC GoFundMe, click here: https://www.gofundme.com/save-dunree-boxing-club
