Comic Relief has supported Fight for Peace since our humble beginnings, so we were thrilled when their team reached out to feature us in a short film for this year’s Red Nose Day campaign. Filmed at our Academy in North Woolwich, Newham, the piece highlights the impact of our work and the young people we support.
Comic Relief’s annual Red Nose Day campaign is celebrating its 40th year of raising crucial funds for organisations like ours to support young people in communities that need it most.
Showing people how their generosity positively impacts young people is key in ensuring that organisations like ours are equipped with the resources needed to see their communities thrive in safe and supportive environments.
The film features long-time Fight for Peace member and competitive boxer Asmaa, alongside former competitor and now coach, Athena. They share their journeys as young women in boxing and the profound impact Fight for Peace has had on their development in sport and beyond.
Athena reflects on how our Education and Employability Pillars supported her beyond boxing, equipping her with the skills to launch her own business, Modest Moves. Through her work, she empowers women and girls to participate in boxing and muay thai, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated space.
Athena’s story is just one example of how using the power of sport for development can positively transform young people’s lives.
Not only that, it shines light on the importance of providing safe spaces for young women and girls to engage in sports. We are not only proud of how far Athena has come, but also to see her take what she’s learned and empower more women and girls to take part in sport.
As Asmaa and Athena continue making history in women’s competitive boxing, we are honored to see them representing Fight for Peace and sharing their journeys on the big screen.
More than showcasing their talent in the ring, they highlight the invaluable skills and qualities boxing has taught them, and the lessons that extend far beyond sport.
“It started as a fitness thing, but now I take it as more than just a hobby,” Asmaa shared. “Now it’s a place of motivation for me, where I have my drive to keep pushing myself mentally, emotionally, and physically.”
Joining them in the film is Partnerships Executive and coach Kenny, who speaks about our holistic approach to youth development and the vital role Comic Relief plays in helping us continue this transformative work supporting young people to become champions in sport, and champions in life.
We are particularly proud of the achievements of young women like Athena and Asmaa, and after being awarded the StreetGames Sport for Development Award for Engaging Women and Girls, we plan to continue building on our existing approach, while finding new ways to keep young women’s involvement at the centre of our work at Fight for Peace.
A huge thank you to Comic Relief for funding our core services, which span across our Five Pillars—Boxing & Martial Arts, Education, Employability, Youth Leadership, and Support Services.
Enough spoilers! You can catch our feature from 32 minutes in on BBC iPlayer. If you’d like to support Comic Relief in their fundraising efforts, you can make a donation here!
