A boxing club hailed as a "safe haven" for young people was named Brent's 2017 Community Project of the Year.

Stonebridge Boxing Club in Winchelsea Rd, Willesden, puts on boxing classes for youngsters, women and older people.

Since it was founded in 2010 by Brent resident Aamir Ali, the club has produced produced a handful of successful professional boxers.

Successful Stonebridge boxers include professional Mikael Lawal who fought his last match at Wembley stadium and Bilal Fawaz who won the London Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) finals.

Both men started training at Stonebridge as teenagers and according to the club's director, Mr Ali, boxing helped them escape troubled backgrounds.

Speaking to getwestlondon, Mr Ali said: "Mikael came to us at 19, when he had a tag on his leg - he was on probation.

"And now he's a national champion. The coaches act as mentors club and the training helps teach discipline, it can offer kids a way out of trouble.

Stonebridge Boxers Mikael Lawal (left) and Bilal Fawaz (right)

He added: "It feels amazing to have won the award, it's great to have the work we do recognised.

"Most of all for the coaches and amateur boxers who put all the work in.

"It's also good because it gives us a higher profile and will hopefully get more people down here to see what we're about."

Pride of Brent Award judges praised the club for "treating everyone as equals" and providing young residents with a safe place to "vent through physical activity."

Senior Stonebridge boxing Coaches Emmanuel, Toks and Director Ali

The boxing club is set to move downstairs from its current location and will reopen in the new year with a brand new look.

A Brent spokesman said: "This club provides a welcoming place where everyone is treated as equals and is a safe haven for Brent’s young people.

Stonebridge offers boxing classes for young women and girls

He added: "It gives them a place to vent through physical activity and provides opportunities for them to talk to the coaches as mentors.

"This is a club run by, and for, the community, fostering a great family atmosphere and sense of belonging."

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