Tuesday 24 Jul 2007
AMIR KHAN LAUNCHES NO MESSIN’ LIVE! 2007
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Amir Khan, Commonwealth Champion, Olympic boxer (2004), IBF Inter-continental Light Welterweight Champion and youth role model, today launches No Messin’ Live! 2007. Khan, who recently won the Commonwealth lightweight title, is supporting the No Messin’ campaign, which aims to educate young people aged between 11 and 16, on the dangers of messing around on the railway tracks. The launch is taking place at Euston station where the undefeated champion will spar with Hollyoaks star Claire Cooper (‘Jacqui Mcqueen’). The No Messin’ campaign gives youngsters alternative ideas to expend their energy, with 12 events being held throughout the summer holidays across Great Britain. Each event provides a wide range of free activities that encourage youths to get involved and find a new talent, such as boxing, music, dance, basketball, skateboarding and DJing to combat the boredom that often leads to antisocial and dangerous behaviour. Ian Chapman, Network Rail’s Education Manager comments: “It is extremely important that young people are aware of the dangers of hanging around or playing on the railway tracks. This happens when young people think they have nothing else to do, which is why we are launching the 2007 campaign. No Messin’ Live! makes people think twice about using the tracks as a playground and highlight the potential danger, while at the same time showing them that there are other activities they could do. Chapman continues, “a train travels at up to 125 miles an hour and takes the length of up to 20 football pitches for it to stop. There is a very real risk to people mucking around of the tracks, and we are committed to raising awareness of these risks to prevent pointless tragedies.” With the support of Amir Khan, No Messin’ 2007 is aiming to educate even more young people to the dangers of playing on the tracks. “It’s really important to give kids a chance to do something positive with their spare time. It’s great to support an initiative like No Messin’, which is a free opportunity for them to focus on something worthwhile rather than risking their lives on the train tracks. I have been boxing professionally since the age of 11 and it has allowed me to remain focused and put my energy into something that I could make a career out of” adds Amir. No Messin’ Live! 2007 visits 12 cities across the UK during July, August and September. No Messin’ Live! 2007 is part of an ongoing initiative by Network Rail that works with other parts of the railway industry to address crime on the railways. For more information on No Messin’ visit www.no-messin.com.
Notes to editors
Previous projects warning schoolchildren about the dangers of trespassing on the railway had seen reductions in cases of up to 80%. Network Rail has a team of dedicated Railway Crime Education Managers working closely with other parts of the railway industry, offering railway safety information and visiting schools, young offending teams, youth clubs and local authorities throughout Great Britain. Last summer, almost 20,000 young people attended 10 No Messin' Live! events that took place throughout England, Wales and Scotland. No Messin’ Live! will be taking place at the following locations: Worthing – 25th and 26th July Strood - 1st August Gillingham – 2nd August Sheffield – 7th and 8th August Bristol – 9th and 10th August Derby – 13th and 14th August Chelmsford – 15th and 16th August Middlesbrough – 20th and 21st August Warrington – 23rd and 24th August Feltham – 30th and 31st August AMIR KHAN, biography: Boxing sensation Amir Khan stepped in the limelight when he won the silver medal in the lightweight division at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Born on 8th December 1986 Khan was just 17 when he won the medal. Bolton-based Khan started boxing competitively when he was 13 years old, and in 2005 turned professional. Since turning pro, Khan won his first twelve professional fights, and on July 14, 2007 Khan beat Willie Limond to take the Commonwealth Lightweight Title. Amir Khan has been involved in the No Messin’ campaign since 2006. The No Messin’ campaign aims to educate young people aged between 11 and 16, on the dangers of messing around on the railway tracks. Birthdate - 8 December 1986 Height - 1.78m Weight - 63kg Trainer - Oliver Harrison Hero - Muhammad Ali http://www.amirkhan-boxing.com/ CLAIRE COOPER, biography: Hollyoaks star Claire Cooper plays the character of Jacqui McQueen, the oldest of the McQeen clan. Her mother had her when she was very young so Jacqui took on the responsibility of looking after her siblings from a young age. Jacqui is a feisty, belligerent character who is more than capable of looking after herself both physically and verbally. She may fall out with her siblings (especially Mercedes) often, but will be the first at their side should any non-McQueen cross them. Whilst she does have a sensitive side she rarely reveals it and it takes time for people to win her trust. Jacqui is constantly putting herself down and is adamant that ‘good things’ will never happen to her. Released from prison for the second time, Jacqui realised life is too short and is keen to change her ways. When Claire was younger she was a British Champion gymnast. She then trained at the Guilford School of Acting and completed a three year acting degree. Besides Hollyoaks, Claire’s other television appearances include Waking the Dead, Waterloo Road and Coronation Street. She has also appeared in a national tour of the theatre production Tom’s Midnight Garden. Nita Rushi Emily Blewett iris PR iris PR T: 020 7654 7636 T: 020 7654 7697 M: 07971 879 371 M: 07989 431 242 E: nita.rushi@iris-pr.com E: emily.blewett@iris-pr.comContact information
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