Former boxing champion and charity founder Mark Prince has been recognised for his work to tackle youth violence at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
Prince, who set up a charity in 2008 after his 15-year-old son Kiyan was killed in a stabbing incident two years earlier, received the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.
The Kiyan Prince Foundation (KPF) reports that it has worked with over 100,000 young people, especially those at risk of involvement in violence, since it was founded.
Receiving the award yesterday, Prince said he was “proud of the fact that I didn’t give in to revenge, I didn’t give in to bitterness and anger and unforgiveness and all the things that try to hold onto us as human beings as we travel through this life”.
He went on to say that “if a homeless kid from Tottenham can find his way to become number one in the world, overcome such adversity and death and pain, anyone can do this”.
The Helen Rollason Award is named after the first female presenter of BBC sports programme Grandstand, who died in August 1999 after being diagnosed with cancer.
Recent winners include the late former rugby players Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow, who both raised millions for motor neurone disease charities after being diagnosed with the condition.
‘Good can come if you’re willing to fight for it’
Working in schools, young offenders’ institutions and in the community, KPF strives to safeguard young people from negative influences such as gangs, county lines, and other harmful paths.
It uses boxing and life coaching in prevention programmes designed to help young people to make informed decisions and realise their potential.
Speaking to Civil Society, Prince said: “Being recognised at Sports Personality of the Year is humbling.
“It’s not just my award, it belongs to everyone who’s supported the foundation, everyone who’s believed in our mission, and every young life we’ve touched.
“This recognition shines a light on the cause and gives us a bigger platform to keep Kiyan’s legacy alive. It reminds me that even in the darkest moments, good can come if you’re willing to fight for it.”
Running foundation ‘felt like an uphill battle’ at times
He said setting up and running the Kiyan Prince Foundation over the past 16 years had been one of the most challenging experiences of his life.
“Losing Kiyan was devastating, and to channel that grief into something positive required strength I didn’t know I had,” he said.
“Starting a not-for-profit organisation was no easy task, especially in the early days when resources were limited, and I was still trying to navigate my own pain.
“There were times when it felt like an uphill battle, balancing the need for funding with staying true to our mission of saving young lives.
“Running a charity is so much more than just having a good cause; it’s about building a team, earning trust, and constantly pushing to reach people who might not want to listen at first.
“But through faith, persistence, and the support of an incredible team, we’ve grown stronger and more effective.
“The foundation is in good shape now, with partnerships, programmes, and a real impact on the ground. Seeing the lives we’ve changed, watching young people turn their backs on violence and step into their potential, makes every obstacle worth it.”
Award ‘puts us on a bigger stage’
Prince said the award was a “powerful moment” for the foundation and that he hopes it becomes “a real turning point for our work going forward”.
“I hope this recognition inspires more people to get involved, whether through fundraising, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about what we do.
“The more awareness we can raise, the more young lives we can impact. This award puts us on a bigger stage, and with that comes the opportunity to build stronger partnerships and secure the funding we need to expand our programmes and reach even more young people.
“Ultimately, I want this moment to remind people why we do what we do, why Kiyan’s story matters and why we must keep fighting for change.
“My hope is that this recognition inspires people to stand with us, because together, we can save lives and build a brighter future for our young people. That’s what this award means to me, it’s a platform for hope and action.”
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