By David Garness, Garness Group Managing Director
As a business which was founded in Hull and has operated in the city for more than 25 years, we pride ourselves at Garness Group on being ingrained in the fabric of the communities we serve.
Having a solid understanding of the region, the people, the difficulties, strengths and opportunities are key to us offering the best quality services to our clients.
With that in mind, we have always seen our role as so much more than that of providing what we do day to day. We strive to play an active part in the local community, and have a positive input in its long-term prosperity.
It was for that reason that I snapped up the opportunity a few years back, when I was asked to become a trustee of St Paul’s Boxing Academy.
A community facility established in 1948, its positive impact on so many young people has been phenomenal, taking many off the streets and giving them a place where they feel they belong.
It instills values of teamwork, respect, honesty and belief – values which I see as important in business, and values which will ultimately help all those attending at St Paul’s develop great life skills and qualities, becoming strong contributing members of our community.
St Paul’s has of course had a wider impact too.
It ensured an international spotlight was shined onto the city by producing Hull’s Olympic Gold Medalist Luke Campbell and fellow professional Tommy Coyle, both now such positive role models for other young people growing up in Hull.
Investment has led to improved facilities, and now more trained coaches
A few years ago, St Paul’s found itself facing something of an uncertain future.
After years of running on a pittance, it had survived and thrived only due to the unbelievable commitment of Mike and Kerry Bromby and their team of volunteers, who give up almost every waking hour to run the club seven days a week.
It was in need of some experienced help and advice, and so I joined a number of other local business figures, including Andrew Horncastle, Barrie May, Shelagh Devereux, Rob Langton and John Rutherford, to help plan a more sustainable way forward as trustees.
I have to say I am immensely proud of the impact that has been made.
Having become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2019, we embarked on an ambitious refurbishment programme, helping raise money for a £1million investment which totally transformed the gym into a truly modern facility.
Now, having recently identified the need for more coaches, St Paul’s has been sanctioned by the governing body - England Boxing - to run training courses aimed at creating level one coaches, becoming the first club in East Yorkshire to be certified to do so for many years.
It means that St Paul’s will now be able to provide more coaches to train and support its growing membership, which has now surpassed 500 – crucially instilling these vital life skills in more people, and having a wider positive impact in the city.
It is another big step forward for one of our city’s treasures.
Each time you walk up the steps into St Paul’s gym at Hull’s Trinity Market, there is a board on which names of supporters and sponsors are listed.
I am immensely proud to see Garness Jones – as part of Garness Group - listed on that wall, and to see so many others supporting this valuable asset to Hull.
