A MARTIAL arts club in Barrhead has kick-started its meetings after being floored by the Covid pandemic.

Plans to relaunch the Barrhead Community Muay Thai Boxing Club in March 2020 were booted into touch as the coronavirus outbreak led to lockdown.

However, it is now up and running again, with sessions taking place at the Barrhead Foundry on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights.

The reopening has been made possible through generous donations from sponsors.

Guardian Scaffolding stepped in with £500 to buy new equipment, while Paisley firm Musclebound supplied protective gear.

Head coach Vinnie McWilliams said: “The sponsorship we have received from Richie Tyrell at Guardian Scaffolding and Kad Ahmed from Musclebound has been a massive boost for the club.

“For them to offer this, especially when companies are operating in hard times, is remarkable.

“It is companies like these that really allow community clubs like ours to flourish.”

Vinnie is hoping other sponsors will step forward to help provide young members with free uniforms and equipment.

He added: “I know how expensive it can be to send your kids to a martial arts club and it isn’t always accessible to everybody. That’s why we are trying to do things differently and provide a great club that is open to all.

“I would like to be in a position to offer free club uniforms and other equipment to scrap any barrier to entry, so if there are any other companies out there that might be able to help, please get in touch “ Classes are from 8pm to 9.30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 6pm to 7pm on Fridays, with prices set at £2 for those aged 16 and over and £1 for under-16s.

For more details or to discuss sponsorship, email EuroBoxing@hotmail.co.uk or get in touch through the club’s Facebook page.