Anthony Joshua has partnered with a company offering independent boxing gyms across the UK vital funds to survive following the pandemic.
The boxer from Watford has teamed up with Revolut, a digital finance company, to donate a minimum of £50,000 to hundreds of boxing gyms.
Facilities such as gyms and leisure centres were not included in the UK Government’s Sport Winter Survival Package late last year, and sports charity ukactive estimated that 400 facilities have closed their doors permanently since the pandemic and another 2,400 gyms are at risk.
To help, Revolut has partnered with Joshua to launch a new glow-in-the-dark debit card to raise funds for the donation.
For every limited-edition Anthony Joshua card ordered by a UK customer, Revolut will donate £1 to struggling independent boxing gyms – with a minimum of at least £50k committed.
The donation will be made to gyms which are members of England Boxing and Scotland Boxing. This would include several gyms in the Watford area, and his regular boxing gym at Finchley & District ABC.
The gym who refers the most will also receive an additional £10k.
Anthony Joshua said: “I am delighted to partner with Revolut to support UK boxing gyms. Without my local gym I would not be where I am today. Across the UK, there are kids and adults alike using these gyms to improve their physical and mental health, and keep themselves off the streets. I am really pleased my Revolut card will make a real difference.”
The world heavyweight champion spent much of last year campaigning for community and social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement at Cassiobury Park, and supporting local leisure facilities and aspiring boxers.
Revolut and Joshua came together on this project following his initiative to personally fund amateur boxing in December 2020.
Gethin Jenkins, chairman of England Boxing, said: “This is a great initiative by Revlout and Anthony Joshua to continue to support England Boxing Clubs. With clubs not being allowed to fully operate for over a year the impact on physical, mental health and financially has been significant and this innovation will help those clubs in most need. We thank Revolut and AJ for their support.”
To get the AJ card, customers should download the Revolut app on iOS or Android and order the card from the cards section.
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