Walsham le Willows: £10k dream to build rural community gym

Neil Evans, 43, has joined with Walsham Le Willows Sports Club to raise £10,000 to build a gym to support the local community.

"The idea is to build something within the community that they can be proud of", said Mr Evans.

The site of the new community gym in Walsham le Willows. (Image: Neil Evans)

"It's more than just working out, it's also about socialising, meeting people and creating a place to strengthen and condition our local athletes."

Mr Evans has lived in Suffolk for seven years and said that while Walsham Le Willows is a relatively small village, it has also garnered plenty of interest from the surrounding areas.

Grants from the district and parish councils together with the £9,000 already raised will go toward the construction of the building.

Mr Evans is using his own money to kit out and manage the community gym.

Mr Evans has run his personal training and fitness boot camp business for four years. (Image: Neil Evans)

Mr Evans added that he has also seen interest and support from businesses, who would also like the gym to be available for their staff.

"Being in such a rural area with poor transport connections, many local people just simply cannot access a gym," he said.

"The community gym would change this."

Mr Evans has always been passionate about fitness, but only started his business when he entered his forties. (Image: Neil Evans)

Operating his own boot camp and personal training business, Neil Evans Fitness, he sees the benefits of exercise firsthand.

Mr Evans used to work in what he dubs the "corporate world" but had always been a keen amateur triathlete. 

It wasn't until he entered his 40s that he decided to follow his passion and he says the next logical progression was to "help people as it had helped me".

"It's the best medicine," Mr Evans said.

Mr Evans is hoping the gym will be a hub for the community, with fitness masterclasses and sessions from local instructors. (Image: Neil Evans)

"80% of my personal training clients have hit their targets, but keep coming back to benefit their mental health.

"My one aim is helping people to leave the gym feeling better than when they came in."

They still have 25 days of fundraising left and are hoping to push beyond their £10,000 target.

He's hoping that once it's up and running, the local community will join the gym family and come out of their shells.

Mr Evans added: "It can do wonders. I've seen people's lives change, it really is magical."