The club, which began 11 years ago, uses sport to “restore” -broken communities and keep children off the streets. Club founder Lamar Roberts, 29, said: “I’d like to see more support for organisations that work directly with young people because most of the time smaller organisations are turned down for support, and not truly recognised for the work that they do.

       “We face the issues of a shortage of funds daily, whilst trying to provide life-changing opportunities to young people. I think much more can be done from -

       the government.”

       The club, in Upminster, east London, had support from local authorities, charities and schools but the pandemic caused “a lot of challenges”. Lamar said: “It was basically all or nothing. We didn’t know what would happen next but deep down in my heart I knew that RDF is important to so many people and because of its purpose, there was no way we could give up.”

       Thousands of grassroot clubs face closure because of funding. The Daily Express has highlighted the plight of these clubs through our Save Our Olympic Dreams crusade.

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       I grew up in Hackney, east London, with gang violence right on my doorstep. Kids were murdered before they reached their 16th birthdays.

       Luckily I had an uncle who steered me towards the Pedro Youth Club, which had a gym with a boxing ring and organised football, basketball and table-tennis programmes.

       And as a 10-year-old with a passion for music, my eyes lit up when I saw its recording facilities. I was friends with a talented rapper who didn’t go to youth clubs. He’s now in prison for murder. It’s a real shame. That’s two lives lost.

       So when people say these grassroots sports clubs just have a physical benefit, they are wrong.

       The Pedro Club is run by former European and British super middleweight boxing champion James Cook MBE. Thanks to him, kids have gone on to be lawyers, business owners, and musicians like me. Clubs like this aren’t just about playing sport, they have real social value.

       We can’t afford to lose them.

       ？ Leon Rolle is from Rudimental