A MAN who wants to help “young people turn their lives around” has spoken about a forthcoming fundraiser.
Tom Paget, 30, from Great Dunmow, is a project leader for the Reach Group Community Projects, a not-for-profit business set up in 2019.
Based in Woodend Farm, at Witham, the organisation was set up to provide support to vulnerable young people by providing free school holiday projects.
The Reach Group was set up after a gap was noticed in the school holidays where many children around the county were being left vulnerable due to the lack of provisions available to them.
Last year, Tom took over the Reach Group Community Projects and started delivering initiatives such as the Respect Initiative holiday projects, Boxing Inspire programmes in schools, and social care mentoring packages.
In the Respect Initiative holiday projects, children will be able to take part in boxing lessons, one-to-one mentoring, sporting activities and more.
Tom is also a boxer and runs Rayne Boxing Club, near Braintree.
He said: “I wanted to join, as if it had not been for fantastic role models I met through sport and boxing, my life would have taken a very different path.
“I believe that as an organisation we can support young people to realise their full potential.”
Young people can be referred to the organisation by schools, families and other groups, giving them the opportunity to take part in sport, physical activities, mentoring and life skills workshops.
The organisation has organised a family football day at Heybridge Swifts Football Club, at the First Call Community Stadium on June 8.
It is to raise funding for its projects over the summer school holidays.
Tom said: “We have previously run two football fundraising matches at Heybridge Swifts who we partner with regularly.
"This event will be bigger and better than before.
“We are introducing our junior tournament, and the day will be well suited to the family, with food, drink, games and more.
“It will be great fun for the whole family with plenty to keep the kids entertained whilst raising money for a great cause.
“We may even have some special guests in attendance.”
To find out more, go to instagram.com/reachgroupcommunityprojects or email info@reachcommunityprojects.co.uk.
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