Hundreds of people turned out at Barking’s Ripple Road Centre to see a group of inspiring youngsters given awards.
The Box Up Crime gongs were dished out by Olympic boxing judge Mik Basi to children in Stephen Addison’s boxing academy of the same name.
“It was brilliant,” said Stephen after Thursday’s bash. “This is what we’ve been building up to all year.
“It celebrates all the work the kids who come to us every single week have done. The kids have been very focused in school and college and we want to reward them.”
Box Up Crime, which runs in Barking, was set up by Stephen after turning away from crime. He wanted to help others avoid the mistakes he’d made.
On Friday the team took to Barclays in Vicarage Field, Barking, to sell hats – and the bank matched the £200 they raised.
That amount included £100 raised by 11-year-old Rianna Ferreira.
Call Stephen on 07904 771 133 for more information about the academy.
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