Weapons Down Gloves Up - LEJOG

Support John May on his 1,100-mile LEJOG challenge, raising money for young people of all backgrounds.

John May has embarked on a 1,100-mile trek across the country, from Land’s End to John O’Groats, starting in Cornwall in the depths of winter on the 26th of January.

He will be raising money for Weapons Down Gloves Up (WDGU), a boxing initiative based around sports, education and employment. The WDGU programme works to get young people off the streets and into employment, with a focus on those who are 16 years or older, and not in education or training.

WDGU plans to put 500 students through the programme this year. It then hopes to increase this number to 1,000 students in 2024 and 2,000 in 2025. The aim is to reduce violent crime among young adults and show them there is another path.

He will be joined by several famous friends; from musicians, such as Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes To Hollywood), to sports stars, such as Tony Bellew (former professional boxing champion). He will also meet up with families and individuals who have been impacted by the use of weapons in crime.

Why do you need my donation?

In the 12 months to March 2022, there were 49,027 knife crimes recorded in England & Wales - many involving young adults. That equates to 1 every ten minutes. While you are reading this, there will be another victim of knife crime somewhere in the UK.

This cycle of violence has to be stopped.

Where will my donation go?

WDGU works with local communities to run a successful boxing and MMA programme. This is rolled out alongside an education programme with career-driven qualifications. The wider ambition of the initiative is to ensure young individuals are placed into full-time work, thereby taking them off the streets and into a promising future.

When will John reach my local town?

You can track John here: TRACK JOHN.

The walk is expected to take 14 weeks and will finish in John O’Groats around early May.

Can I keep up to date with John on his walk?

John will also be vlogging and sharing updates along the way. From the highs to the lows (and everything in between), you can watch his daily adventure here.

“I think what Weapons Down Gloves Up do is fantastic. I really believe that boxing gyms are great for kids. Growing up, I saw kids that went to boxing gyms, and ones that didn’t - and there was a difference. These kids from the boxing gyms had structure and respect. I believe it gives them a lot more than you might expect.

I think a lot of them find validation in gangs. They feel a sense of loyalty, but you can also get this sense of belonging to a family from your boxing gym too.

It costs about £400 per child that goes through the programme. This not only teaches them boxing, but discipline and accountability. After that, WDGU also guarantees the young person work at the end of the programme.

Your donation will give these kids the opportunity to go down a different path - a positive path of guidance. Every penny means the world to me.

Thank you.” - John May