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Feature Item:
Martial arts man fighting for peace
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
By Lindsay Burns
A GYM owner and martial artist who used his time in the limelight to call for peace in South London has helped dozens of young people stay on the right path.
When Jamaine Facey was interviewed before a fight broadcast live on Sky Sports in 2009 he took the opportunity to try to make a difference.
The 34-year-old, from West Norwood, who has lost friends to violent crime, used his airtime to highlight problems with youth violence in South London and urged people to help out.
He said: “I always think so many sports people in the public eye should speak up more, because they can really make a difference.
“So the interviewer asked me what I thought about my opponent and I just started saying, ‘Hands up, guns down’. “‘Hands up’ means, to me, put your hands up and do something good with your life.
“It could be singing or art, not just fighting.
“People should put their weapons down and protect their lives and the lives of others – by doing what they can to help others.”
Jamaine co-owns Bandogs gym in London Bridge, where he runs mixed martial arts classes.
He set up free weekly classes for young people, which he funded.
He also recently donated £10,000 from a fight night to help fund an operation to help disabled four-year-old Joe Elliot walk.
Jamaine, who has an 11-year-old son, has been nominated for an Our Heroes award as part of this paper’s campaign to recognise the achievements of South Londoners.
Jamaine, who is a manager at Fusion Leisure Centre in Peckham, said the free classes held once or twice a week have been a massive success.
He said: “We started bringing the kids in off the streets, identifying the ones who are likely to go the wrong way.
“It’s not just about young people. We even got adults – big grown men who are getting into trouble.
“But there are so many good role models at the gym.
“We’ve got teachers, plumbers, firefighters, students, actors.
“So if we’ve got kids in who are not working, someone will be able to help them get into work, or give them advice.”
Jamaine’s “Hands up, guns down” message has grown into a campaign offering support and mentoring to young people.
Jamaine said his next goal was to find the cash needed to expand the campaign.
Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Thursday, 20 June 2013
Other Our Heroes Awards 2011:
Ex-Heroes reveal Junction wish list - Tuesday, 01/Nov/2011
Proving kids can be good citizens - Tuesday, 11/Oct/2011
We keep on caring when state stops - Friday, 30/Sep/2011
Friends to ‘needy’ - Wednesday, 28/Sep/2011
Actor’s dedication to common touch - Friday, 23/Sep/2011
Shakespeare actor has common touch - Wednesday, 21/Sep/2011
‘I know my son will become blind’ - Friday, 16/Sep/2011
Son’s illness inspires mum - Wednesday, 14/Sep/2011
A taste of success for prison officer - Tuesday, 13/Sep/2011
Nine-year-old raises £200k for park - Friday, 09/Sep/2011
Denise helps teens patch up their lives - Tuesday, 06/Sep/2011
From pop charts to criminology... - Friday, 02/Sep/2011
‘Extra mile? Dave goes the extra continent - Wednesday, 31/Aug/2011
Headbutt couldn’t stop me in riot role - Friday, 26/Aug/2011
I tried to make a difference... - Tuesday, 23/Aug/2011
‘Creative kids less likely to turn against society’ - Friday, 19/Aug/2011
‘Whirlwind’ rugby fan trains Tigers - Tuesday, 16/Aug/2011
Grandad’s quest to help kids walk for first time - Wednesday, 10/Aug/2011
‘I want people to have hope’ - Friday, 05/Aug/2011
‘I just can’t stop my fundraising’ - Tuesday, 02/Aug/2011
A real kick from football training - Friday, 29/Jul/2011
Lifesaver: It was nothing special - Tuesday, 26/Jul/2011
Keey site to keep kids out of trouble - Friday, 22/Jul/2011
Rapping teacher is role model for kids - Tuesday, 19/Jul/2011
Advice on gardening from the grown-ups - Friday, 15/Jul/2011
If I help one person, it’ll be worthwhile - Tuesday, 12/Jul/2011
‘Life can change with just a word’ - Friday, 08/Jul/2011
Getting to art of the matter - Wednesday, 06/Jul/2011
Art of the matter - Tuesday, 05/Jul/2011
‘John has given voice to people at the bottom’ - Wednesday, 29/Jun/2011
Martial arts man fighting for peace - Tuesday, 28/Jun/2011
Mr Grass Roots in the running for Our Heroes award - Friday, 24/Jun/2011
‘I love looking after children’ - Tuesday, 21/Jun/2011
‘Always trying to make us laugh...’ - Friday, 17/Jun/2011
Dynamic duo’s battling spirit - Thursday, 16/Jun/2011
‘I lifted him like sumo wrestler’ - Friday, 03/Jun/2011
Prime Minister helps launch the hunt for South London's unsung heroes - Friday, 27/May/2011
Sir Ray Tindle
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