In Banbury, Dave Earle MBE has been running classes at his Spit ‘N’ Sawdust gym for more than 20 years but has always found it difficult asking for financial support.
“Most people who come to this gym don’t come for the boxing they come to build their confidence up,” he said.
He has offered affordable classes at about £5 for people struggling with their mental health, alcohol and drug addiction and is now running a class for children who are neurodiverse.
“You want to do the right thing and I love doing the right thing, but sometimes it makes it difficult paying the bills.”
A HMRC spokesperson said: “The Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) scheme provides tax reliefs to support grassroots clubs, and we keep the eligibility criteria under review to ensure they remain effective in helping community organisations thrive.”