COMMUNITY PETITION – SUPPORT EDDIE GUEST BOXING GYM

SAVE OUR COMMUNITY BOXING GYM – FORDHAM

Planning Ref: 25/00074/FUL
Location: 82 Isleham Road, Fordham

My name is Eddie Guest, and I am the owner and coach at the boxing gym based in Fordham.

I am asking for your support following the refusal of my planning application to retain and operate this facility.

 
More Than Just a Gym

This is not a commercial gym focused purely on profit — it is a community-led space that has been built to support people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

The gym provides:

• Structured boxing training for children, teenagers, and adults
• A safe, supervised environment for young people
• Affordable and accessible sessions for the local community
• A place where families can train together 

Mental Health & Wellbeing Support

This gym plays a vital role in supporting mental health within the community.

Many members have shared that the gym has helped them:

• Cope with anxiety, stress, and depression
• Build confidence and self-esteem
• Create routine and structure during difficult times
• Feel part of a supportive and positive environment

For some individuals, this gym has been life-changing, providing purpose, stability, and a sense of belonging.

Supporting Vulnerable Individuals in Our Community

This gym also plays a crucial role in supporting individuals who need it most.

Eddie works with members of the community who have:

• Autism and ADHD
• Anxiety and other mental health challenges
• Additional needs and disabilities

The gym provides a safe, structured, and understanding environment where these individuals feel comfortable, included, and supported.

There are also young people from within the local area, including those facing serious mental health challenges, who attend the gym regularly. Some of these individuals have struggled with issues such as self-harm, and the gym gives them:

• A positive outlet
• A sense of routine and stability
• Support from a trusted coach and community
• A safe space where they feel understood

For these individuals, this is not just a place to train, it is a vital form of support that helps them cope and move forward.

There are also members with physical disabilities who attend and benefit greatly from the sessions, showing that this gym is truly inclusive and accessible to all.

 
Supporting Young People

In today’s world, young people face increasing challenges, including:

• Social isolation
• Excessive screen time and social media use
• Lack of structured activities

This gym provides a positive alternative, offering:

• Discipline, respect, and personal development
• Physical activity and fitness
• Social interaction and team spirit
• A safe place to spend time after school and in the evenings

It helps keep young people engaged, active, and supported.

 
A Valuable Community Asset

The gym has become a local hub, bringing people together and strengthening community connections.

• Parents and children train together
• Friendships and support networks are built
• People from different backgrounds come together

Facilities like this are rare, and once lost, they are extremely difficult to replace.

Charity Work & Community Fundraising

Beyond the day-to-day support the gym provides, Eddie has also raised significant funds for charities and individuals in need, demonstrating a deep commitment to giving back to the community.

Through various events and initiatives run from the gym, it is estimated that up to £100,000 has been raised for a range of important causes, including:

• Air Ambulance charities
• Children’s hospices in Cambridge
• St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds
• £16,500 raised for a former jockey who was paralysed in a horse-riding accident
• Funds raised for a disabled lady in Soham to support the purchase of a new wheelchair following a life-changing amputation
• Support for a young boy, Oscar, who required specialist medical treatment in America

And many more individuals and causes within the local community who have received help when they needed it most.

This level of fundraising highlights that Eddie’s Gym is not just a place for fitness, it is a community-driven organisation that actively supports and uplifts others.

 A Balanced and Responsible Approach

I fully understand the importance of planning regulations and being considerate to neighbours and the surrounding area.

I am committed to:

• Operating responsibly within agreed hours
• Managing noise and activity levels
• Working with the Council to resolve any concerns
• Ensuring the gym continues to be a positive addition to the area

Why Your Support Matters

This petition is not just about a building, it is about protecting a community resource that is making a real difference.

By signing, you are showing that:

• This gym is valued by the community
• It has a positive impact on people’s lives
• It should be supported and allowed to continue
   
  We Support Eddie Guest’s Gym and Ask the Council to Reconsider This Decision