Stephen Addison originally found his purpose in life through crime but after a dream, in which he saw himself jailed for murder, he decided to turn his life around.
He went on to found BoxUp Crime, in Dagenham, which tackles youth crime. It is focused on “finding solutions” and not just talking about the problem.
Earlier in the year, he told Time 107.5: “It’s for any young kid that wants to change their life around, build up their confidence and be around a family of people who really care about them.”
“Children have a dream, but then the community they grow up in, the friends and habits they pick up and the situation they find themselves in completely warps that dream.”
He praised the structure which he says allows kids to find a new direction in life.
“When they come to us, they get instilled with a level of discipline that keeps them focused and detaches them from the gang engagement that they’re involved in.”
“You don’t have to tell a young kid not to drink because he wants his heart to be ready when he’s sparring. He’s not going to get drunk the night before because he needs to make sure he’s fit.”
Stephen claimed that going to a gym gave him a “new confidence” which allowed him to start achieving things and wants to give that same experience to the less fortunate.
The organisation makes its own gloves, holds adult fitness classes and works in schools to help generate revenue. He said it’s to help “kids who can’t afford a £10 training session.”
Tags: Barking and Dagenham
