The Benschop Foundation has once again answered the call for those in need, with Dexter Wray being the latest to benefit from the organization’s generosity when he received some much needed boxing equipment.
Head of the organization, Mark Benschop, said that the donation of the boxing equipment to 15-year old Wray who hails from Agricola, was simply the fulfilling of a promise made to him after they had met a few months ago.
“My first encounter with this young fighter was during the Christmas season when the Benschop Foundation was sharing out gifts and Bonny Alves brought him to my attention, saying that he was the best boxer in Agricola for his age,” he said.
Benschop said that Alves informed him that the youngster had come from very humble circumstances and his performance had been limited by the fact that he could not afford to purchase some of the necessities of the sport.
“After learning how much the young man loved the sport, it was very saddening to see that his progress may be halted because he came from an economically depressed background.
“Our organization was ready and willing to help since we at the Benschop Foundation have realized that in such instances where there are youngsters with talent in these poverty-stricken areas, the youths easily turn to a life of crime in their idleness,” he said. Benschop said that he sought help from some of his colleagues overseas along with some assistance from Bonny Alves and the organization was able to fully gear the youngster.
Wray, who has reportedly been boxing at the Agricola Boxing Gym for the past six years without his own boxing gear and training equipment, has now been fully equipped with boxing gloves, protective head gear along with a skipping rope, bandages and a hand-held gripper.
Benschop also said that his organization would also be clothing Wray with his very own boxing uniform complete with boxing shoes, shortly.
According to Benschop, his foundation was constantly involved in developmental programmes targeting the improvement of sporting facilities in poor communities to get youths more involved in sports to keep them off the street and away from all activities that may lead to crime.
Benschop also told Stabroek Sport that his foundation, though small, was willing to assist persons who needed school uniforms, sports equipment or help in erecting neighbourhood libraries and it could be reached on telephone number 644-2635.
