Active Volunteer

Active Volunteer Award

PC Paul Reading, Little Venice Boxing Club - winner

Paul’s work with disadvantaged young people from the Edgware Road has had a positive impact on not just on the young people involved but their parents and the wider community.

Despite having a young family, he volunteers a massive amount of his spare time to developing and delivering the boxing classes for 12 – 21 year olds at Little Venice Sports Centre. Participation has increased to 150, most of whom are not accessing any other services or physical pursuits.

Paul, a former boxer, promotes respect, discipline, self-control and clean living. Parents feel the work is helping to cement trust and dialogue between the police and local young people. Paul’s work is bringing together young people who we know to be members of ‘rival’ groups of youths, from different estates in Edgware Road.

Matthew Knight, Queen’s Park FC - highly commended

Matthew volunteers with Queen’s Park Football club, on both Kickz football and Fit Kidz gym projects.  He is a positive role model to many of the young people on the Kickz project, particularly those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds who find they can relate to him. The local police force recognise Matthew’s influence and he helps them by talking to the young people about his experiences growing up and how to avoid getting involved in negative situations. His ability to connect with people from all backgrounds.

Matthew is keen to progress and has attended many courses. He hopes to complete a personal trainer qualification in the next few months to help him with his future employment.

Marcos Fernandes, London Tigers - highly commended

Marcos has volunteered with the London Tigers for the past four years. He is a dedicated basketball coach and was the driving force behind the creation of the Ladies Basketball team who now play in the London Metropolitan Basketball League. He encouraged the girls to commit to training and ensures they make progress in every session by using new methods and motivational techniques and making recommendations to the players.

His efforts to drive participation have resulted in over 40 girls regularly taking part in training.

Over the last few years Marcos developed himself taking Level 1 and Level 2 basketball coaching courses and he is now doing his Level 3 coaching badge. He is committed to the game and his passion has helped the girls to engage in healthy and positive activites.