HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Visits Boxing Futures HQ in Peterborough

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15 April 2025

ThisWeekinFM Charity Partner Boxing Futures received a royal visit at its Peterborough community hub from His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

Boxing Futures offers support to young people through non-contact boxing sporting programmes and mentoring.

The charity’s Chatterbox programme has partnered with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) for the past four years. As Patron of the DofE charity, Prince Edward visited Boxing Futures’ community hub in Peterborough to learn about how Chatterbox participants are re-engaging with education, volunteering and employment.

Whilst in Peterborough, The Duke also visited Peterborough United Football Club and Railworld Wildlife Haven to meet DofE volunteers.

Tom Brett, 21, is working towards his DofE Silver Award and helped to host The Duke. He said: “It was amazing to meet HRH The Duke of Edinburgh today and show him everything we’ve been achieving through our DofE.

“When I was younger, I struggled with controlling my anxiety, being antisocial, not wanting to break out of my comfort zone. I would worry about not doing well, failing, I had to leave school early because it got so bad. I didn’t have friends I could spend time with outside. I had no one my age I could to. I felt quite isolated.”

“I feel like I’m moving towards something. It all feels rewarding and then you have a community backing you, people in your corner. Whenever I’m with Boxing Futures, I feel accepted.”

Boxing Futures’ Psychotherapist Stefanie Radjenovic added: “All our programmes blend therapeutic talking with non-contact boxing, both of which contribute to the Physical and Skills section of The DofE award. Likewise, participation in The DofE Award is a perfect fit to what we offer; it enables our young people to build positive, long-lasting friendships, learn about themselves and others, and build their confidence and self-reliance.

“But the impact of DofE goes much wider, as our young people have been volunteering in the wider community with organisations like the British Heart Foundation, community garden and local sports projects. It is such an honour to witness their growth and be able to support them to reach to their potential.”

Boxing Futures is the charity partner for ThisWeekinFM’s annual Facilities Industry Charity Boxing Night Black Tie Dinner – find out more here.

Picture: a photograph of The Duke of Edinburgh meeting DofE Award participants and Boxing Futures Head Coach Marcello Renda, who standing to the right of The Duke. Image Credit: Boxing Futures 

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 15 April 2025

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