Maverick Stars restarted its ground-breaking 'Sting Like a Bee' initiative across Greater Manchester last week.

The programme, designed to provide opportunities for young people through boxing gyms, relaunched at Moss Side Fire Station Boxing Club in Manchester, Hamer ABC in Rochdale and Bridgewater ABC in Salford.

The programme engaged with 17 children and young adults in week one, and this number will continue to rise over the next few days with two other gyms joining the scheme.

Timperley ABC in Trafford and Tameside Elite Boxing Academy will welcome new faces to their gyms as part of the programme.

Aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and the knife-crime epidemic, 'Sting Like a Bee' will see a series of boxing and leadership programmes rolled out in boxing gyms throughout the region, helping hundreds of young people (aged 8-25) to get fit, stay safe and up-skill.

Each of Greater Manchester's ten boroughs now has at least one designated 'Maverick' gym which has received funding and support from the charity to help engage and inspire the most 'at-risk' young people.

Special guest speakers, mentors and external visits to places including: Safety Guide, Challenge4Change and Street Doctors, will be organised for each gym. Other planned initiatives for participants include training camps at home and abroad, and plans are also in place for a 'Greater Manchester Box Cup'.

(The picture was taken before the Coronavirus pandemic, at the launch of the programme.)