Over the past year, Fight for Peace has continued to grow and thrive, empowering young people locally and globally through our transformative Five Pillar methodology. In this article, our CEO Lee Hemmings reflects on the year’s achievements and impact and shares his hopes for 2025.

“Over the past 12 months, we’ve continued to grow, adapt, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people, both locally and globally.

Central to everything we do is the Fight for Peace Five Pillar methodology, combining Boxing and Martial Arts, Education, Employability, Youth Leadership, and Support Services. This holistic approach allows us to address the diverse needs of our members, empowering them to succeed in every aspect of their lives.  

Our athletes have shone this year. Our competitive boxers, including a strong contingent of women fighters, have stepped into the ring with remarkable skill and determination. At the same time, our muay thai fighters excelled at a high-profile pro-amateur event, delivering exceptional performances.

Across disciplines, we’ve seen an impressive surge in participation, particularly in mixed martial arts (MMA) and our junior sessions. Our coaches have been nothing short of outstanding, fostering an environment of dedication and growth.

A particularly proud moment came when one of our former long-time members, now a valued coach Dylan Adebisi, made his professional debut in boxing with a victory. His journey from participant to leader exemplifies the transformative impact of our programmes.  

At our east London Academy, we’ve experienced record-breaking levels of membership and engagement. With our doors now open six days a week, more young people than ever are accessing our life-changing sports and personal development programmes.

To further support our competitive athletes, we’ve partnered with the University of East London’s Sports Science department, introducing advanced training and fitness testing to ensure peak performance.  

Making our services more inclusive to all has been a key focus this year. We’ve trained all our coaches and launched specialised boxing sessions for young people with special educational needs and physical disabilities. The joy and confidence these sessions bring to participants and their families have been deeply rewarding. Meanwhile, our unwavering commitment to safeguarding ensures that every young person receives the support they need to navigate life’s challenges.  

A major milestone was the launch of our Life Champions Course, developed in partnership with Sport England and UK Coaching. This innovative programme equips coaches across all sports with the skills to support young people’s personal development beyond the sporting environment. By enhancing their mentorship capabilities, we’re broadening the impact of sport as a transformative tool nationwide.

We’ve made significant investment in our Employability Pillar and will continue to expand this effort in 2025. A highlight of this year is seeing a young member awarded a British Airways internship golden ticket.

In Newham, our local roots remain strong. Through the re-launched Newham Youth Partnership and our collaboration with the council on their Youth Safety Strategy, we’re delivering vital services that provide young people with safe spaces to learn, grow, and thrive.  

Youth Leadership continues to be a cornerstone of our work. Our Youth Power group ensures that young voices are heard and valued, playing a critical role in shaping the development of our Academy. Their insights and leadership drive our mission forward.  

Internationally, we’ve expanded our reach, supporting our sister organisation, Luta pela Paz, in El Salvador, where we’ve shared our methodology to benefit communities facing significant challenges. In Kingston, Jamaica, our programmes have positively impacted over 1,000 young people, continuing our long-standing commitment to the region.  

Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to create champions in the ring and in life. Guided by our Theory of Change, we take a community-centered, outcome-focused, and data-driven approach to ensure continuous improvement and lasting impact. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our incredible team and the ongoing support of our partners and friends.  

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re making a difference, and I’m excited for what the next year will bring!”