Merrill College pupil Tom boxes clever to receive national award

A TEENAGER who started boxing two years ago to boost his confidence will meet the Prime Minister after winning an award for the difference he has made to the club.

Tom Orrell will be picking up a Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award from Gordon Brown for his volunteering and mentoring service to other young people.

Teacher Sam Godfrey, who runs the Merrill College boxing club, nominated 17-year-old Tom for the award because of the work he has done with the club and young people he works with.

"Tom is a breath of fresh air," said Mr Godfrey. "He came to the club to improve his self-esteem and to get fit.

"He has ended up being a friend and mentor to all the youngsters who come along.

"He is now equally involved in coaching the young people because he has taken his Amateur Boxing Association tutor award."

Mr Godfrey is particularly impressed by Tom's willingness to give up so much of his spare time to help out with the club.

He said: "There are not many young people who would be willing to work as hard and take what he does so seriously. I know that I can always rely on him."

Tom said he knew nothing about the nomination for the award until an envelope dropped through the door to tell him he would be receiving the award in a ceremony on July 9.

He said: "I was completely shocked to be nominated, much less to be successful.

"I started going to the club originally to learn something new and found myself getting more involved.

"But I do the mentoring because I love doing it and I never expected any reward for it."

Tom helps out after school and also at evening events and in the holidays as well.

He said: "It's a rewarding thing to do, especially when you see some of the people improving their boxing and gaining confidence at the same time.

"People arrive and are very shy but within a couple of weeks are brimming with confidence and they are also keeping fit."

Tom takes his A-levels next summer and is hoping to join the police force.

"But I don't want to give up my involvement in boxing," he said.

Head teacher Roger Shipton said he was delighted that Tom would be travelling to London to get his award.

He said: "Tom's work is helping the children of Allenton, Alvaston, Sinfin and Normanton to enjoy themselves and keep fit.

"He has a natural ability working with youngsters and has built up a great relationship with all of the children who really look up to him as a role model."

The awards were set up in 1999 to recognised individuals or small groups of 12-to-18-year-olds for being peer mentors, fund-raisers or overcoming adversity.