Above: (Left to right) Darren Murinas, CEO Expert Citizens; Richard (Max) Maxwell, Chairman, Ten Count Boxing Gym CIO; Charlotte Bates, Trustee at CRISIS.
Highlighting 2023 Winners and finalists
The Category: Welcoming
This Award celebrates those who welcome people with unconditional positive regard, ensuring a warm and safe environment with a focus on their own individual needs and consideration of their historical context.
The Winner
Richard (Max) Maxwell – Ten Count Boxing Gym CIO
Max developed a boxing program for the more troubled youth that gained funding and a regular membership. That funding has since expired however Max will not retire the program due to the amount of young people and adults who have come to rely on it-Round 1.
Young people who were bullied, the bullies, had no ambition, no sense of purpose but all had the same main issue-low to know self-confidence.
So Max opened the class to be a confidence building session. We now have young people who were causing havoc on the streets or who have been kicked out of school in the gym working out or looking for something to do-daily.
Max has been rewarding their good behaviour and supporting them all in different ways with the funds.
It’s truly heart warming to witness young men stepping up and making a positive impact as Max’s influence has sparked a remarkable transformation.
Max is the catalyst for change and embodies the spirit of a prolific leader. His ability to inspire others and encourage them to do the right thing is amazing. These young men, who once had no interest in the gym, are now actively contributing -they cut our grass this afternoon. They encourage their peers to do the right thing and encourage them to seek help. Their hard work reflects their newfound sense of responsibility and community spirit. Max’s influence has rippled through the group, turning ordinary tasks into meaningful contributions.
The Award
Ten Count Boxing Gym CIO was awarded £1,000, to support their futures activities. We asked Paula DeMichele, Gym Manager, how the grant was spent.
For more information regarding the work of Ten Count Boxing Gym, please visit their website below:
The team unanimously voted and decided Max (Richard) would use the funding as he sort fit, preferably on himself, as he has been working tirelessly for years helping others-for free. True Max style, he used the funding to help our troubled teen group who have been striving under his Round 1 program.
We are extremely proud of their hard work all due to Max. Thank you for seeing in Max what we see daily.
