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Tuesday 11 Jan 2011

WORLD CHAMPION HELPS MANCHESTER BOXERS CELEBRATE BIG HIT TO RAILWAY CRIME

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Young boxers from Gloves Community Centre, Bolton and Moston and Collyhurst Boxing Club punched their way to success this weekend at the inaugural No Messin’ Tri-nation boxing competition, organised by Network Rail and supported by the world light welterweight champion Amir Khan.

Network Rail brought together more than 20 young boxers from five clubs across Britain which it supports, to celebrate knocking down railway crime and providing positive activities for young people.

The event, which took place at the De Vere Hotel at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton on Saturday, saw the two clubs win a total of five of the 12 bouts, in front of a crowd of around 500 boxing enthusiasts and celebrities.

As well as Amir, famous faces included ex-champion boxer Michael Gomez, Sean McGoldrick, who won the silver medal in the bantamweight division at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and David Lee, assistant academy director at Bolton Wanderers.

Commenting on the event, Amir Khan said: “In the three years since we launched Gloves community gym with Network Rail in Bolton, hundreds of kids have come through our doors. Instead of hanging around the streets or mucking about on the railway, they learn a fun, disciplined sport which keeps them fit and out of trouble.

“It’s great to see so many kids putting their energies into something positive and coming together to compete in this fantastic new competition. Well done to all the lads who fought tonight and I hope this event has helped remind them that this is where they want to be, not getting into trouble, or worse, getting hurt or even killed by messing around on the tracks.”

Martin Gallagher, head of community safety at Network Rail said: “Our partnership with Moston and Collyhurst Boxing Club has helped us to raise awareness and spread really important safety messages to young people about the dangers of messing about on the railway, and we’ve seen a significant reduction in railway crime.

“This competition is a celebration of how working in partnership with community groups can deliver real benefits for everyone – most of all the young people who are enjoying the sport and learning a great skill in a safe environment.”

He added: “Railway crime is incredibly dangerous but can also cause massive disruption and cost to the industry. By reducing crime, we can focus investment in improving passenger services and a better railway on which Britain relies.”

Also watching the fights was Julie Hilling, MP for Bolton West, who has a background in youth work and is a member of the Transport Select Committee. Ms Hilling said “It is vitally important that our young people have the opportunity to become involved in sports and activities that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to access. I am delighted that Network Rail has brought these clubs together from a range of areas and backgrounds. It is an excellent example of an organisation actively engaging with local communities across the country”