Calls for funding of more community projects in North Yorkshire
There are calls for more initiatives to help reduce anti social behaviour and teach young people about knife crime
There are calls for more funding for projects in North Yorkshire to help tackle knife crime and anti social behaviour.
A new community hub is being built in New Earswick which will host boxing sessions for vulnerable people.
Charlie Malarkey is in charge and says it'll have a huge positive impact on the local area:
"It's going to be a hub for everybody. We're going to have dieticians in there, retired GPs, homeless advice, drink, drug advice. Anything that's to do with well-being, homelessness and the whole community."
Charlie also runs a boxing gym in the City Centre and says it's a model that works: "We've got case studies to prove that, and we've also got a lot of people that were high profile in criminal activity and drinking drugs that have actually got a job. One of our main aims is getting people into work."
Charlie says there should be more funding for projects like his: "We've had to rely on donations to get the project off the ground. We do still need that last bit to get us over that final hurdle. It is going to be packed and it's just exactly what every area needs.
He's also hopeful it will be a chance to educate people about knife crime: "Every time you turn the news on, there's been a knife crime. It's sickening and it shouldn't be happening. We need more of these projects because everybody that's coming on board they know that these things are needed. They've got me as the voice, but I feel like screaming out, saying, what do we have to do to get things like this built?"
"It's the fitness, comrade. You know, we have a crack. It's a right leveller. People think you've got to be a big bruiser to be a boxer but we've got lots of students down, counsellors, solicitors, police, all walks of life that make good boxers."