We all believe every young person deserves hope, opportunity, and the chance to thrive.

In January, I will travel to Ukerewe Island, Tanzania, to work with the community-led, local charity Lake Victoria Children who support the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, to run the Gloves of Hope program and make this shared belief in hope real.

Together, we are building something lasting: a boxing gym, youth programme and community center that will give local children and young people a safe space to grow, develop confidence, and see a future for themselves.

As a former British boxing champion, Vice-Chairman of the Loughborough Boxing Association and now community leader in Milton Keynes, I’ve seen how sport can transform lives, and my experience in a grant making institution ensures we will be able to strategically maximise the impact of your support.

Boxing taught me discipline, resilience, and self-belief. Lessons I want to pass on to the young people of Ukerewe Island, where opportunities are limited but potential is limitless.

What We’re Building

Your support can help us achieve one of two milestones:

🥊 £6,000 Goal — Enough to rent and furnish a gym for a year, allowing the Gloves of Hope program to run for a year giving young people immediate access to a safe, positive space with equipment, coaching, and mentoring.

🥊 £14,000 Goal (Full Vision) — Creates a permanent community hub, not just a gym. Owned and for the community, with a number of boxing coaches trained from the youth. Ensuring that the hope uncovered becomes a sustainable reality. Alongside boxing, it will also provide:

Youth Club activities for children and teenagers.

A space that can grow into a secondary medical centre, offering vital health services to the community.

Ukerewe Island is also home to one of the largest populations of people with albinism in Tanzania. Outside the island, many face discrimination, exclusion, and persecution.

By ensuring the gym is a permanent space in this gym we are building a welcoming and inclusive recreational space where communities can create bonds across differences in an environment they train, socialise, and thrive without fear.

This isn’t just a gym. It’s a statement of equality, belonging, and hope.

Accommodation and living costs for myself and any team members will be self funded, so every penny of your donations raised will go directly into building and sustaining this project.

For a detailed budget breakdown, project plans, or any other questions please contact me at Zion.Johnson1@outlook.com. I will also document the journey on both Instagram @CoachZionJ and TikTok @Zionjj1

There is also an opportunity to have your name on the Wall of Champions sponsorship wall- at £250 for your name to be engraved on the wall.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

A special thank you to the team of great community leaders and mentors.

Firstly Jennifer Walker, Chair of the YMCA MK Board and Alex Magaga, Founder of Lake Victoria Children, both of whom made this project possible.

Amber Wright who has been supporting my journey from the beginning.

YellowYoyo, who built the vision that was in my head into a story, messaging, and clear strategic plan.

James Lancaster, Mayor of Milton Keynes, and Jasmine Messent, Community Leader and Intersectional Advocate for their immediate support and kind words of encouragement.

Brian Hinkley, my own boxing coach at Loughborough Univeristy and former Olympic Boxing coach in Tanzania. For his consistent and unwavering calming disposition and his call on a late night Sunday when the project felt to much to handle.

Kurshida Mirza, High Sheriff of Milton Keynes 24-25 for her mentorship over the last year.

My family, who have been listening to my dream of recreating a safe space I found outside of my own home in the Bletchley Boxing Club/BoxingClever. While I had a safe space at home, many children do not, however that sense of community and shared hope should be shared across the globe.

And finally the great Ranjit Singh, who not only gave me a chance but encouraged me to take that chance and believe in myself. After every conversation with Ranjit it felt like the trajectory of my life changed for the better. He will be sorely missed but his legacy will live on.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, I will withdraw funds directly. It's the most efficient way to donate and saves time and costs.

Thank you,

Zion Johnson