Huntingdon: Gymnastics Club Extension

9 November 2012, 11:24 | Updated: 10 November 2012, 07:48

Huntingdon Gymnastics Club, where Olympic medalist Louis Smith trains, has started a campaign to raise £100,000 towards an extension.

The club has already secured the bulk of funding for a new Gymnastics Hall, which it's claimed is needed due to the increasing number of young people interested in taking up gymnastics.

It's hoped the extension will also provide a big legacy following the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The club is about to begin handing out flyers asking for local fundraising volunteers and asking for donations.

A design for the new hall has been chosen and planning permission for the extension has been granted, so it's hoped this £100,000 will enable construction to begin.

Louis Smith, who won two medals at London 2012 and one at Beijing in 2008, is supporting the fundraising campaign.

Louis said: "I grew up in Huntingdon Gym and it has always been a big part of my life.  

It needs to grow to help more people like me to achieve and be the best they can be. 

I'm right behind the campaign to build a facility that will keep this Club at the highest level." 

Paul Hall, the Men’s GB Olympic coach and Head Coach of Huntingdon Gymnastics Club said: “3 Olympic, 4 World, and over 20 European Medals show just how important this Club has been to British Gymnastics.  

More than that, we provide a home and a direction for over 600 members, young and old, and at all levels of ability.  

A new building will allow us to offer gymnastics to so many more people from the local and wider community, as well as providing career opportunities to many young adults that are interested in sport and working with children."

Click here to find out how to donate to the fundraising campaign.

12 year old elite gymnast Harry O'Driscoll, from Buckden, is raising money for the extension by sleeping outside in a tent for a year.

Click here to find out how to donate to Harry's fundraising.