St George’s Crypt visit proves a knockout success
Two-time world champion Amir Khan was fighting in the corner of society’s most vulnerable earlier this week as he helped feed the homeless in Leeds.
Showing his support for local charity, St George’s Crypt, he attended the event alongside his team from the Amir Khan Foundation, as well as councillors and members of the local Muslim community.
Amir was joined by brother, and fellow boxer, Haroon, as they served up meals from the charity’s kitchen to more than 80 people, whilst speaking with those in attendance.
The welterweight boxer then joined some of the service users whilst they ate to talk further about why he was visiting on the day, and to learn more about the crypt’s work.
Speaking ‘out of the kitchen’, Amir said: “The Amir Khan Foundation is about giving back to the local people and local communities.
“A lot of people don’t have the right support in their lives at the moment and that is what we want to give them.”
Riz Malik, on behalf of the Amir Khan Foundation, added: “We in the Foundation are looking for opportunities to make a real difference to people who have suffered disadvantage and poverty in their lives.
“St George’s Crypt – through its work with homeless people since 1930 – is an excellent example of a charity producing innovative solutions for its clients, and we hope to be able to establish a long term relationship with the Crypt in helping them to continue producing effective solutions”.
The Amir Khan Foundation was launched in August last year and has been set up to support deprived, disadvantaged children and young people – both internationally and nationally.
Last week’s event was arranged with the help of Leeds City Council who were approached by the foundation requesting to be put in touch with a charity which works with young people who are in challenging situations due to adverse life chances.
Martin Patterson, a Director of the Crypt, said: “We are delighted that Amir Khan and the team from the Foundation have been able to visit the Crypt today.
“We concentrate on providing effective training and engagement opportunities in order to help our clients to move in life from an increasingly complex range of challenges brought on by issues as homelessness, addiction, mental and physical health problems, poor education and family breakdown.
“Amir’s visit is a real inspiration for our clients and they were delighted to meet him today.”
Also present on the day were a number of city councillors and Imam at the local Leeds Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim MBE.
Mr Asim said the work carried out at the charity for the past 85 years was a ‘credit to the city’ whilst last week’s event with Amir, was extra positive for the Muslim community.
“It is important that, from a Muslim perspective, we see funds raised in this country, stay in this country as well as going abroad,” he said.
“We need to help people here at home, and improve the financial state of people struggling, due to no fault of their own.”
He added: “I was very pleased to be involved with the project on Monday and to see the Amir Khan Foundation up-close helping local communities.”
