Cricklewood boxing club aims to fight against youth crime

Robert Buick with his Cricklewood Boxing Club members Bobby Moore and Taylor Masters, both 13 (Image: Archant)

Robert Buick, who launched his Cricklewood Boxing Club, in Kent Hall, Westcroft Way, a year ago, held his first youth match on Saturday.

The fledgling club, which he hopes will achieve charity status in the new year, has seen numbers of young members grow to more than 100, with high praise coming from parents.

The 54-year-old said: “We are part of the London Amateur Boxing Association and it was our turn to host the show. We try to match

the kids with someone with the same skills. It was very successful.”

He added: “Although we’re new we are very very busy. More than 100 kids now come in every week. They come from all kinds of backgrounds - some from sad situations, from violent situations, we get them all, the good, the bad and the ugly.

“I’m trying to get kids off the streets. I want to get kids into boxing and away from going down the wrong road.

“We need to get them out of their enviroments, they need a lot of encouragement.

“We have kids who come here who are shy, backwards, no confidence. After two or three months they are different kids, they have got self esteem. They no longer look at the floor when they are coming in, they look up at you.”

He said he has “lost” some young people, who have been removed by social services.

He aims to have the club listed as a charity early next year so he can seek sponsorship and begin fundraising as so far money has come from his “own pocket”.

He explained: “This year there have been stabbings, shootings, it’s ongoing.

“I want to work with the police. I want to get the rough kids they can’t handle and get them in the boxing club. I also want to get disabled kids in as well. There’s alot we can do to build their confidence,” he added.

Parent Anna O’Toole, whose two sons attend, said: “Rob’s brilliant. No-one gets bullied, everyone’s confidence gets boosted, even parents.”