A coach is raising money for new gym equipment so he can support at-risk youth, helping them through training in the gym to keep them off the streets and transform their lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pop Haywood, 69, is an ex-offender who turned his life around after spending 17 years in prison.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has learnt from previous life experience how important it is to have a support network and an outlet, which is why he wants support to provide this to Sheffield\u2019s youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has worked with youth expelled from mainstream schools and said: \u201cI don\u2019t talk down to them, I give them respect and they give it back to me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Haywood explained how working with people to help better themselves comes naturally to him. He said: \u201cIt\u2019s normal to me. I just do it, and it works.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The current space that Mr Haywood\u2019s gym is occupying, Three Arches Events Space, is not big enough anymore, so he will be moving into a much larger space, an old furniture shop in Handsworth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will allow for more space to train, enabling Mr Haywood to help and mentor more of Sheffield\u2019s community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
His GoFundMe is raising money to provide equipment for at-risk youth to use to train and release stress, and he needs the residents of Sheffield\u2019s help to provide this equipment for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Haywood said that he wants to build a community hub, as the new space he is moving into is much bigger, so will allow him to build a charity shop, food bank and cafe for old age pensioners, so he can provide for all ages of Sheffield\u2019s community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explained how his friend, John Tompkins, has been one of his biggest supporters, and has helped him achieve so many of his goals through different events and fundraisers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Haywood said how he had been previously nominated for an MBE for all his charitable work, and wants to continue this at a time where street safety is a major concern and he is able to do something to help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When asked what motivated him to continue with his inspirational work, Mr Haywood said: \u201cSmiling faces. I care, and that\u2019s top to bottom.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pop Haywood\u2019s GoFundMe can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n