Sir Graham spars with young boxers to keep them out of trouble

POLICE and Crime Commissioner Sir Graham Bright trained with aspiring young boxers last night (Wednesday September 24) when he visited a Peterborough club which he has helped fund.

The club, which diverts young people at risk of offending into positive activity, received £1,500 from Sir Graham’s Youth Fund to purchase new equipment.  

Youngsters aged between 10 and 18 attend twice-weekly training sessions at the Peterborough Boxing Club in York Road. The sessions are run by serving police officers who liaise with partner agencies across the city to identify young people who could benefit from attending.

Sir Graham met more than 20 young people and their coaches PCs Chris and Vicki Baker.  He was also persuaded to try out the sparring pads for size and help 14-year-old Paige Nealon practice some of her boxing skills.  Paige’s dad Peter is training to become a coach and she joins him each week to train.

Sir Graham, who thankfully survived his turn in the ring, said: “I was extremely impressed to see a real mix of young people at club who were all obviously passionate about boxing. This club clearly gives the young people something to focus on and takes them off the streets; which I am a real advocate of.”

He added: “In my Police and Crime Plan I pledged to support work with young people to divert them away from a life of crime. This is just one of the awards I have made from the Youth Fund to help achieve that.”

PC Chris Baker, who hosted the visit, said: “The young people who attend learn boxing basics and can progress to sparring competitions if they wish to. They develop boxing technique and how to use it in a safe controlled manner enabling them to learn self-discipline. This is a skill which is crucial to keeping them out of risk-taking behaviour.

“We are really grateful for the contribution from Sir Graham and that he took the time to come and meet some of the young people and see what they have learnt.”

 A photo from the visit can be viewed here

The photo shows 14 year old Paige Nealson sparring with Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Graham Bright, watched by coach, PC Chris Baker.