A GYM owner has launched a £50,000 fundraising appeal to save his 20-year-old business from closing down.

Sid Bourne is reaching out to the public after the lease of Bodyzone Heavy Weights, Fitness & Health Gym is due to expire in January.

The fitness centre in Bracknell has seen the likes of Hollywood A-lister Will Smith train there and strongman Eddie Hall.

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'Generations of families have come and gone' through the gym with people aged 16 to 75 years plus pulling weights there.

Sid also stresses how his gym offers critical support for people with mental health issues including depression, PTSD, anxiety and more.

He wrote on his Go Fund Me page: "The uniqueness about Bodyzone Gym is the traditional 'spit and sawdust' environment where people feel the friendly, familiar and family orientated atmosphere.

"As a result of surviving over a long period of time the gym has created its own community within itself that you will be hard to find in any other gym. Members don't just spend an hour training, they spend hours training, chatting, relaxing and networking. So many people in the community depend on my gym's existence."

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After struggling during the Covid pandemic lockdown, the business now needs help financially to move to a new premise.

Sid added: "I am asking for just some small contribution which will go a long way to help us relocate to new premises and keep our Community together.

"In return, I will provide you a unique place of Fitness, Support and Lifelong Friendships and you can depend on the fact that you will have helped so many people."

Visit gofund.me/0f710cce to donate.