BCB Promotions’ talented light heavyweight, Ben Collins, is gearing up for a ring return this summer – but his time on the sidelines due to injury has not been spent idly.
Demonstrating a commitment that extends far beyond the boxing ring, Collins has been pouring his energy into a deeply personal project: a breakfast club for young people at Pumpkin Boxing, the gym he runs alongside his father in Brierley Hill.
Driven by a genuine concern for the well-being of his community, Collins explained the initiative’s origins.
He said: “The idea started from conversations we had been having with kids in the gym, some of whom were coming in to train, but they hadn’t had anything to eat or certainly nothing substantial.
“Our gym sits in quite a deprived area, and with the high costs and pressures on parents, particularly during the school holidays, we decided to set up the breakfast club for the Easter holidays, and we have been thrilled with how it has gone so far.”
Collins says the impact of the breakfast club has been significant.
He added: “Kids have been coming down for the hour, and then some will stay and train as well, so it’s serving two purposes: they get a good meal, and it also keeps them off the streets.”
This initiative runs parallel to another crucial community effort spearheaded by the gym: their successful knives bin campaign.
Collins said: “Our knives bin campaign has been really successful, and to be honest, it surprised me just how many we have had turned in, 128 and counting.
“It’s scary to think how common it has become for kids as young as nine to be involved in this sort of thing, so it’s important to us that we can give back and help in any way possible.”
The breakfast club operates without limitations, reflecting Collins’ inclusive vision.
He added: “We don’t have a capacity limit, and the more faces we see, the better. We have been really fortunate with the donations from Tesco, the Black Country Food Bank and the gym staff putting in the hours to get it all prepared, but of course, more support would be really appreciated, and hopefully this can be something we carry on into as many half terms and school holidays as possible, as we have seen the demand and the success of it.”
While eager to lace up his gloves again this summer, Collins’ current focus on nourishing young minds and providing a safe space underscores the positive influence that boxers and their gyms can have within their communities.
His dedication to the breakfast club is a powerful reminder that champions are not only forged in the ring but also through acts of compassion and service.
