The Undisputed Boxing Club
Fight for Lifstan: A Legacy Under Threat
We've Built Champions. Now We’re Fighting for Survival.
Once a beacon of opportunity for young people in Southend, Lifstan Boys & Girls Club and Southend Amateur Boxing Club now face closure after the government revoked a promised £1.5 million Youth Investment Fund grant. Years of mismanagement by consultants and unrealistic project demands delayed progress — just as local trades stepped in to save the build. But a last-minute funding cut has brought everything to a halt.
100 Years Of Heritage- 2 Years Of Hell
For over a century, Lifstan Boys & Girls Club and Southend ABC have stood as pillars of hope, discipline, and community in one of Southend’s most deprived areas. Hundreds of young people have walked through their doors — finding mentorship, motivation, and often their only safe space.
In 2023, the future looked brighter: a £1.5 million Youth Investment Fund grant promised to transform the club into a modern, inclusive hub. But the dream was slowly derailed. Poor contract advice, inflated design specs, and delays from appointed consultants caused major setbacks through 2024.
Just as local SME contractors stepped in to redesign and rescue the project — within budget and on time — a new blow came. The government imposed a sudden December 2025 completion deadline, ignoring the agreed March 2026 finish. With the internal wind-down of the YIF team, the funding was effectively revoked. The result? A thriving community asset abandoned mid-build.
This campaign isn’t just about bricks and mortar — it’s about young lives, community heritage, and standing up to a system that let us down.
Help us fight to restore funding, finish the build, and protect the future of grassroots sport.