Club that faced an uncertain future last year is recognised for the difference it makes to local people
Hailsham Boxing Club has won the Charity and Community Award at the inaugural Hailsham Business Awards, held on 25 September 2026 at Blackstock Country Estate and organised by Hailsham & District Chamber of Commerce.
The win caps a remarkable turnaround for the club. Just months ago, its future was in serious doubt, as it faced uncertainty, setbacks and difficult decisions that could easily have forced it to close its doors. Instead, the club and its community chose to keep going, and last night that resilience was recognised in front of the town’s business community.
For Hailsham Boxing Club, the award is about far more than a trophy. It represents every child who has walked through its doors, every adult who has found confidence through boxing, every volunteer who has given their time, and every person who believed in what the club was trying to build.
Sam Buchanan, Founder of Hailsham Boxing Club, said:
“This isn’t just a trophy for us. It represents every child who walked through our doors, every adult who found confidence through boxing, every person who needed somewhere to turn, every volunteer who gave their time, and everyone who believed in what we were trying to build. We don’t do this for recognition, we never have. But to have our work recognised after everything we’ve been through means more than people will ever know. From uncertainty at the end of last year to standing here as award winners, what a journey. And we’re only getting started.”
The club thanked every member, parent, volunteer, coach, sponsor, business, organisation, councillor and supporter who has stood beside it, saying the award belongs to the whole Hailsham Boxing Club family.
The Hailsham Business Awards were organised by Hailsham & District Chamber of Commerce to recognise outstanding local businesses and community organisations across East Sussex.