A volunteer-run organisation hopes to grow and grow after becoming part of rapper Plan B’s new project to create a ‘university of alternative learning’ for marginalised young people.

Box4Life has helped around 200 young people since 2009 to give children and teenagers an alternative to joining a gang and being lured into street crime.

But the Leytonstone-based organisation hopes to expand across Waltham Forest after agreeing to become part of the music and film star’s burgeoning project, Each One Teach One (EOTO).

EOTO approached Peter Sandy, publicist and volunteer at Box4Life, to see if he would like to become part of the project, which aims to fund a network of organisations to work together to help marginalised young people get ahead in life.

Mr Sandy and Box4Life director Mark Rule were only too keen to get involved and to expand their work, believing the non-contact boxing training provides a way for young people to better themselves.

Mr Sandy said: “The whole thing made us realise we’re part of a movement, all these organisations trying to give these kids a better future. We can refer people to one another and help them more.

“As a society we’re letting out kids down. That’s what made me decide to get involved.

“Gang culture is everywhere. Anything can go off on the streets.

“But there’s a family atmosphere here. Expressing themselves in an environment like this and progressing in their boxing skills helps them to develop self-belief and find their own voice.”

Box4Life currently teaches about 25 young people aged from eight to 18 at Cann Hall Baptist Church in Cann Hall Road each week, as well as providing weekly sessions at Burnside Pupil Referral Unit in Burnside Avenue, Chingford.

Mr Sandy said one of the benefits is seeing how well children progress with their help, and believes the charity has been a real success for local young people.

He said: “It’s gone better than our wildest dreams. It’s really taken off. They can open up and talk about things they had found hard to express elsewhere. We get a massive buzz off that.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the weekly boxing session can visit Cann Hall Baptist Church on Tuesdays between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.

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