Khan Boxes Clever for Network Rail

The gloves are on as boxing superstar Amir Khan and Network Rail opened a new boxing and fitness community centre in Bolton. The 'Gloves' community centre will provide hundreds of young people with easy and affordable access to professional training, boxing and fitness facilities. The partnership between the boxer and the rail company builds on Amir Khan's involvement with Network Rail's No Messin' campaign, which aims to offer kids safer and more exciting alternatives to playing on the railway where they risk serious injury or even death. The 'Gloves' centre has three main areas. The next generation of Amir Khans can get into boxing and fitness in the junior gym area, while the senior gym has professional facilities to allow boxers to make the most of their talent. The centre also has IT and classroom facilities in which Network Rail and the NSPCC, of which Amir Khan is an ambassador, will run educational events. Dozens of people are killed or seriously injured on the railway every year by mucking about on the tracks. In the last five years: - One in four accidental fatalities was of someone aged eight to 18 - Half of all near misses involved children. With the majority of trespass incidents involving adults, this is quite worrying. It seems as if whilst adults are taking short cuts, children are taking chances - The North West is the No.1 UK region for vandalism with 27% of all such incidents occurring in the area. Amir Khan said: "I'm really proud to open a centre which allows young people of all abilities to learn about boxing, a sport which I am of course fiercely passionate about. I hope that 'Gloves' will provide kids with a place to hang out, get fit and most importantly, keep safe. There's no excuse for mucking about on the railway or anywhere else. Working with Network Rail I hope that we can show kids that there's a much more fun way to spend their time with their mates, and ultimately save lives." Iain Coucher, Network Rail Chief Executive said: "Lots of young people use the railway as a playground because they think they've nothing else to do. Amir has already been a tremendous supporter of our No Messin' campaign, which aims to reduce railway crime by encouraging young people to get involved in healthier activities. This fantastic new centre builds on that partnership. "I'm really excited and proud that Network Rail is involved in this ground breaking centre dedicated to making a real difference to the lives of young people. By giving them the opportunity to try out new sports and fitness activities - or even just a place to hang out with their friends or go online safely, we hope to prevent needless injuries and save lives." NSPCC director and chief executive Dame Mary Marsh said: "As an NSPCC ambassador Amir's commitment to making children's lives better is proven through this ambitious project of opening his own gym for children and young people. The NSPCC is delighted to have been invited to support this project by delivering sessions at the gym on keeping safe - in the community, at home, on the internet."