Toowoomba man Jamie Lawson donates to Arrernte Community Boxing Academy to stop Alice Springs youth crime crisis

He may now live 3500km from the place he once called home but this charity founder along with members of the Darling Downs community are helping to tackle the ‘crime crisis’ in the Northern Territory. Read the inspiring story here.

Residents of Alice Springs have declared a crime crisis with a surge in youth crime, and now generous Darling Downs community members have taken steps to tackle the issue.

Former Toowoomba man Jamie Lawson has raised $10-20 million for community groups through his charity Road Boss Rally.

Since relocating to Alice Springs five years ago, he has continued to make a difference despite being 3500km from home.

Former Toowoomba man Road Boss Rally founder Jamie Lawson has helped the Arrernte Community Boxing Academy in Alice Springs with the charity rally donating a bus. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After discovering the Arrernte Community Boxing Academy – a youth program which aims to help troubled youth and prevent them from committing offences – Mr Lawson gathered the troops.

The joint effort made by the Road Boss Rally team resulted in the generous donation of a $40,000 bus to the academy.

Cooper Drew (right) trains with the Arrernte Community Boxing Academy in Alice Springs. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“A lot of (youth offending) is driven by dysfunctional homes … these kids get tossed around, their lives are full of hardship, and their futures are written for them already,” Mr Lawson said.

Former champion boxer Jason Lord of Arrernte Community Boxing Academy has real solutions for the problems facing his Alice Springs community. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“If they go down the road of trouble, it’s a one-way ticket with two options – jail or death – it sounds harsh but it’s the reality, so the work this small academy does in giving them a new pathway, is incredible.”

Through the academy’s vision of “culture, care and control,” the small community group aims to provide a safe space for troubled youth to be mentored.

Mr Lawson said the academy was looking for boxing tournaments in Toowoomba for the Alice Spring’s biggest talents.

“Most of the Road Boss Rally participants are from Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and South East Queensland, so it’s pretty incredible that a little act of kindness from Toowoomba is making a genuine difference in the middle of Australia,” he said.