Remembering Paul
Remembering Paul Garratt It is with the deepest sadness that we share the news that Paul Garratt, Cinnamon’s Director...
Christian Boxing Alliance is one of our 2025 Cinnamon Incubator Competition finalists. On Thursday 13 November, they’ll be presenting their initiative at St Peter’s Church in Notting Hill for a chance to win £20,000 and a place on the Cinnamon Incubator Programme.
What we do
Christian Boxing Alliance run amateur boxing classes where young people get a chance to learn discipline and manage aggression in a controlled manner. Alongside the physical training, participants join discussion groups and are encouraged by Christian mentors.
We also run a fortnightly discussion group covering topics such as fitness, mental health, films, suicide, and faith. These sessions give participants the chance to share what matters to them, while our Christian volunteers speak into important life issues from a Jesus perspective.
How we change lives
Our boxing classes teach discipline and provide a safe outlet for aggression. We’ve seen gang members leave behind dangerous lifestyles of drug dealing and violence after joining the club.
Some have started attending church, building friendships with Christians who support them and their families. They now have a place where they are loved, valued, and can trust the people around them.
Our vision for the future
Our vision is to bridge the gap between young people and the church by using boxing as a tool for connection, discipline, and hope. In a world where knife crime is a daily threat, we want to offer an alternative: pick up gloves, not knives.
Through Bible groups, mentoring, and community, young people can discover love, belonging, and purpose, supported by Christians committed to walking with them.
Young people are often looking for a place to belong and can be drawn into gangs for that sense of community. We offer them a “gang” of their own — one that fights fair, only in the ring, and builds each other up.
“I saw boys outside trying to goad me into a fight. They looked like they were carrying, but I just walked away — I only fight in the ring now.”
“My son came home from boxing and said, ‘I decided to follow Jesus.’ Whatever was shared in the after-talk touched him deeply. As a family, we haven’t been to church in years, so I’m so glad he hears about Jesus here while learning a sport. He absolutely loves it and doesn’t stop talking about it.
On Thursday 13 November, Christian Boxing Alliance will be one of five incredible projects pitching for a chance to win £20,000 at the 2025 Cinnamon Incubator Competition Final.
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