‘One brick at a time!’ - Fyrish Gymnastics Club enlists businesses in bid to secure Alness premises
AN Easter Ross gymnastics club is building support in its fight to save its premises with the help of local businesses - one brick at a time.
Alness-based Fyrish Gymnastics Club is campaigning to protect the future of the premises in which it has a lease until 2028.
With the premises put on the market for £400,000 by landlord BT, the club - which welcomes more than 700 people through its doors every week- is fighting for its long-term survival.
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It has ambitious plans to buy the Culcraggie House premises already fitted with a purpose-built sprung gymnastics floor at Teaninich Industrial Estate.
And the latest fundraising idea dreamt up by young gymnasts looks to establish solid foundations for the wider campaign by offering businesses and well-wishers the chance to buy a ‘brick’ with company logo for prominent display in its entrance foyer.
And head of fundraising, Kirsty McTaggart, yesterday revealed the idea has already captured the imagination of several local businesses who within days pledged have almost £3000 to buy the bricks.
She said: “It’s an opportunity for local businesses to show their support and get something in return with their logo displayed on the bricks.
“The idea is that they will seen by everyone coming into the building and will also be a backdrop for gymnasts when medals are presented at competitions.”
The idea is similar to the backdrop often seen at high-profile football matches when sponsors logos can be seen behind those being interviewed. Ross County Football Club enjoyed success with a similar fundraising venture for its charitable efforts.
There will be three tiers of bricks available for selection with donations of between £250 and £499 being represented on a 20cm x 12cm brick; £500 to £999 on a large 21cm x 30cm and £1000-plus on a 30cm x40cm.
Kirsty said: “We are trying to get the first ones up as soon as possible so businesses can see what it is and get the idea.”
The fun-loving gymnasts are also planning a TikTok campaign to maintain momentum and increase exposure for supporters with their ever-growing social media presence.
Added Kirsty: “We’re hoping the bricks idea will be a good, strong one to build in. We will have other fundraising ventures here and there but this one will continue.”
And never ones to stand still for too long, gymnasts and well-wishers will also this Sunday carry out a sponsored walk up Fyrish Hill - a significant local landmark reflected in their name.
Although it has enjoyed a reduced rent from landlord BT, which pulled out of call centres it operated in the Alness area, the club was shocked when it learned its premises were on sale for £400,000.
It had anticipated a figure of £150,000 and was actively fundraising towards that sum with its long-term future in mind.
The Alness premises have a special sprung floor, which the club also fundraised for, and is a core part of the wider community, used by a variety of groups.
A determined fundraising drive is now being run in tandem with behind-the-scenes efforts to secure a sustainable funding package with the support of appropriate agencies.
The club last week welcomed a “massive” £1000 boost from one its core supporters, Pat Munro, which runs a construction and quarrying business nearby.
“We’d like to thank all at Pat Munro for being one of our biggest supporters from the start and still being here with us on this journey to buy our building!”
Meanwhile it has flagged the efforts of gymnast Gracie has been on a fundraising mission making her own bracelets and selling them to raise money to buy the building.
The club said: “Gracie has raised an amazing £250 in just a couple of weeks of selling her bracelets! And she’s not stopping there with orders still flying in! Thank you for all your hard work Gracie, you’re a superstar!”
And in a third welcome boost, a whole new audience was clued in on the club’s challenges last night at a pub quiz hosted by the Conon Hotel.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the bricks campaign can contact fundraising.fyrishgymnastics@gmail.com
