Worksop: A Guardian Rose for boxing hero Chris

Eight-year-old pupil and aspiring boxer Kian Bak presented Chris Boyle, who owns X-Box Boxing Club on Dukeries Way, with the accolade in a surprise ceremony on Tuesday, September 29.

Mum Claire Bak, who nominated Chris on Kian’s behalf, told the Guardian: “Kian has been attending sessions at X-box for the past 17 months and he loves it.

“Chris does everything he can to help everyone out at the club. He gives up so much of his spare time and does a lot of work with young people in the community, helping them to grow in confidence.

“He puts award nights on for the pupils and everyone gets their own trophy. And all this is done out of his own pocket.

“Chris is also very involved in fundraising for different charities such as Help the Heroes and Cancer Research UK. He really does go that extra mile to help others.”

X-Box boxing club relaunched in 2013 with the aim of keeping Worksop youngsters off the streets and ‘on the straight and narrow’ for good.

All ages and fitness abilities are welcomed at the club, which is based off Claylands Avenue.

Speaking after the official opening, Chris said: ““It’s been a long time dream of mine to create and run a boxing club for the wider community that helps keep young people safe and off the streets, doing something positive.

“We teach structure and routine, as well as discipline. We are a family and not just a club.”

Our Guardian Roses are generously donated by Walker’s House of Flowers, based in the Priory Shopping Centre in Worksop.

Want to nominate someone special in your community for a Guardian Rose?

Email [email protected], call 01909 500500 or visit our offices on Ryton Street to speak to a reporter.

Please be sure to include details of who you would like to nominate and why.

For more information on X-Box Boxing Club and session timetables visit their Facebook page.

Or email Chris at [email protected].