Celebrations have rung through a community boxing club as one of its young members made it into a national championship final with little experience.
West Herts Amateur Boxing Club (ABC) opened in September 2020 with the aim of supporting vulnerable adults and disadvantaged young people.
One of its members, Quinlan Carter, aged 15, has already shone a light on the work the club has done when he made it into the finals of England National 3 Nations Development Championships on October 18.
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He didn’t win, but his achievement has been described by the club’s head coach as a milestone.
Saud Hafiz, who lives and grew up in Watford, said: “Quinlan is very determined and has a dream.
“He got to the finals, and no-one thought he would get that far. He only fell short to someone who had more experience. It was a huge milestone for him and the club.
“When he won the semi-finals it was electric, it made me emotional. To see him get there with is family and everyone supporting him it was great.
“He had that determination, he had that vision, and he realised it. Sometimes you have to dream big, and you don’t give up, you keep moving forward and that is what Quinlan did.”
Quinlan is only one example of how the club has helped people.
While the club is a charity, it still has overheads and the majority of its 1,000 members pay.
However, it helps an extra 200 people where the fees are subsidised.
These individuals can be of all ages and backgrounds but are there because they have been identified as needing support.
Mr Hafiz said: “We have been working with people referred from the NHS who are borderline or suffer with diabetes.
“Some young people are here because they are struggling in education and others have mental health issues.”
The father of three added: “My desire has always been to help vulnerable people and to give back to the community.
“Every child out there that I see, I want them to do well and bring the best out in them.”
For more information on the club, visit https://westhertsabc.com/.
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