Since 1908, The Downside Fisher Youth Club has aimed to support socially excluded children and young people from Bermondsey and its neighbouring areas. It helps them to fulfil their potential through a structured programme of sport, educational, artistic and recreational activities.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, we have had to close the club until further notice.

Not since the club closed in 1914 with the outbreak of the First World War, and then again in 1939 for the duration of the Second World War, have we been forced to close our doors to our community of young people. Over the years after those closures, the club re-built its foundations, going on to support many thousands of local young people and has even taken local boxing talent to Championship and Olympic heights.

Since 2008, Southwark Council had been unable to award grant-aid to support the Club which forced DFYC to appeal to charitable sources for funds. Thanks to the occasional charitable grant, but mainly from the ongoing generosity of individual donors, we have managed to maintain this valued facility and dedicated staff that run it day to day to support young people.

Because of the closure and social distancing measures, we will not receive the income we rely on from event hires and we've had to cancel fundraising events like our annual Boxing Gala. This will prevent us from covering our running costs - which includes salaries and general upkeep.

As a small charity, the club operates on a break-even basis and so we are petitioning for donations (big or small) towards our target of £60,000, to help us through this period.

We welcome the government's decision to support charities who are providing services which are tackling the impact of Corona-Virus today. It's right that these funds will prioritise groups directly responding to Covid-19 crisis now ahead of charities like ours.

We are applying for small charitable grants which are being made available, but even if successful these will not cover our costs. In the absence of funding we will not be in a position to help pick up the pieces when this has all ended, without your help.

We cannot foresee what impact the Corona Virus will have on young peoples' lives; what challenges they will face, what tragedies may unfold. And so, as life resumes, the role of the club will be greater; its facility to provide a place of support and community even more vital than ever.