Robert Southey, the chief coach of Abingdon Town Amateur Boxing Club, was at Blenheim Palace recently for a special awards ceremony for people who have served young people for a long time. He started helping at the boxing club as a teenager…

which is how he came by this Planitum award for 40 years of voluntary service for young people and still going strong. His biggest campaign at the moment is to raise money for a gym in South Abingdon.

(On 12th December the Boxing Club has a sponsored darts marathon from 12 noon to 12 midnight to raise money towards the new gym. There will also be a Santas Grotto in the afternoon at the Crown and Thistle. )