AN AWARD-winning kickboxing club which has more than 60 members is fighting to stay afloat.

Rishton-based Fite Rite Kickboxing Gym has won a number of national awards and inter club competitions since forming two years ago.

The club is popular, teaching the sport to more than 30 youngsters and 30 seniors.

Chief instructor Gary Smith said many of the younger members show incredible promise and could shape the sport’s future, if they can manage to keep sessions going.

Financial pressures such as rising costs have seen the gym struggle to make ends meet.

A number of members have also faced redundancies and have had to cut down on the number of sessions they can afford to attend.

Gary said they were determined to find a way to stay open and have appealed to the community for support.

He said: “The members are so passionate that even people who have lost their jobs still come as often as they can.

“They apologise to me for only coming every other week, because they know we are struggling. However if you’ve just lost your job, what can you do? The whole area of Rishton seems to have been hit hard by the recession.

“This means we have found ourselves struggling each month to meet rent payments and bills, and our equipment is in need of renewing.

“We are trying to do our own fundraising to keep the gym open as it is so important to many children and adults within the Hyndburn area.”

To raise funds for the gym, members are holding an indoor car boot the last Sunday of every month at their Hermitage Street base.

The first event is on Sunday October 30. Doors open at 8am for sellers and 9am for buyers. Entry is £10 per table (not supplied) 50p per buyer with under 12s free Refreshments and toilets are available.

To find out more call 07809 221161or email: gary30@sky.com.