A Souper Response

Not wanting to see its space go to waste during coronavirus, Monkstown Boxing Club in Northern Ireland converted its gym into a makeshift soup kitchen.

In aid of people in the local area who were vulnerable and self-isolating, volunteers lead by leadyouth worker, Amy Stewart, tirelessly delivered food packages to doorsteps.

"In just two days we managed to cook 180 soup meals,” noted project manager Paul Johnson. “We know that having fresh soup made could be essential for somebody that has been quarantined or self-isolating, including pensioners, individuals with disabilities and families that have been made unemployed. Members like Amy have been true heroes as the club closed down for the period and she was essential in turning it around and running the kitchen, delivering hundreds of meals to the community.”

Since 2012, the club has been working with hard-to-reach young people aged between 11-20, delivering programmes aimed at “improving educational achievement, creating pathways to employment, building healthier lifestyles, bringing communities together and reducing crime.”

Last summer saw the grassroots organisation being honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in the summer of 2019, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK for work in its local community. They have also previously won a National Lottery Award for best education project.


To thank Amy for her work during the pandemic, NI boxing legend Carl Frampton surprised her with a visit by arriving unannounced to gift the club with a range of new boxing equipment courtesy of The National Lottery.