Tom Roberts memorial event at Christchurch boxing club

The gathering was organised by Christchurch Amateur Boxing Club following discussions with Tom Roberts’ family.

The event was also used to highlight the work of social enterprise Gloves Up Knives Down.

The community interest company is backed by the boxing fraternity in its efforts to prevent and reduce knife crime.

Tom’s family got in contact with Gloves Up Knives Down following his death on March 12 to ask if they would be willing to attend the event.

Scores of people, including boxing club regulars and Tom’s friends and family, attended the memorial on Wednesday, May 11.

Speaking at the event, Philip Roberts, Tom’s father, said: “On behalf of the Roberts family I would like to say thank you for all the support you gave to Tommy when he was alive and all the support you have given us since he passed.”

Philip Roberts, centre, with Jon Woods and David Edgell

Jon Woods, who heads up Christchurch Amateur Boxing Club, said: “It has been a brilliant tribute for Tom, Tom’s dad who wanted to do the memorial and the rest of the family.

“It gets the message out there and boxing has a big role to play.

"Around Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset and all across the country there are amateur clubs like us doing the same things day-in, day-out, week-in, week-out.

“I am sure this message will help put youngsters in the right areas.”

• Read more: Fundraisers set up to help fund DJ Tom Roberts funeral

Tom Roberts (Image: Submit)

David Edgell, one of the founders of Gloves Up Knives Down, was present at the event.

He presented three sets of boxing kit as a gift to the club, which will be given to three deserving youngsters.

Gloves Up Knives Down started as an initiative and a logo in a visual campaign before gaining traction and go will.

The founders worked with child psychologist professor Joana Carvalho Costa, a former United Nations consultant, about how they could make a meaningful difference against knife crime.

The memorial event had a collection for Gloves Up Knives Down

“We target kids from not particularly good backgrounds aged between seven and 13. If they haven’t done boxing, that’s not a problem,” said David.

“We gift them a boxing kit which is professional standard headguard, gloves, vest, shorts and a little bag to carry it in and introduce them to a gym.

“We know now after three years that the transformative effect of getting a kid off their device, away from their friends, not necessarily in the ring, but it is about the physicality, the nutrition and most importantly it is about the notion of supporting, nurturing and encouragement.”

The event took place at Christchurch Amateur Boxing Club,

He added: “Our long-term objective is to try to cultivate responsible citizens because if you can change that kid’s life you might change the dynamics of the family, change the dynamics of their peers and change the dynamics of the community. That is what we are all about.”

• Read more: Bournemouth nightclub Bomo Bunker pays tribute to Tom Roberts

Boxer Mace Ruegg, a professional who trains at the club, said the sport had saved his life.

“I could be in jail, I could have been stabbed,” said Mace.

“It gives me reason every day and I owe everything to boxing. It gives me that sense of discipline.

“Even if my career doesn’t go far, I will still have boxing in my life. I need it and it is all I know.”

To find out more about Gloves Up Knives Down, visit glovesupknivesdown.co.uk