Reacting to the sad news of Reece Newcombe's death, Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council has paid tribute to his life and contribution to the community in Hounslow
Published: Friday, 2nd December 2022
Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, Leader of Hounslow Council said:
"Reece Newcombe - who was fatally stabbed in the early hours of Saturday morning in Richmond - was a regular trainer alongside his Father John Holland and family friend Alan Bamford in the boxing gym on the Ivybridge Estate. Pillars of the local community, Reece’s family have dedicated years working with the borough’s youth, keeping them off the streets and giving them a purpose and an outlet through the discipline of boxing. Their mentoring teaches kids to stay away from street crime, offering an alternative pathway through fitness and sport.
"Following a fatal stabbing on Ivybridge in 2016, Reece’s father John set up the boxing gym on the estate alongside Cllr Sue Sampson, Cabinet Member for Housing Management and Homelessness, and at the request of the young people that lived there. Reece assisted his father John with training sessions on both Ivybridge and at Westside Boxing Gym in Hounslow.
"The Holland family always encouraged young people in Hounslow to embrace the positivity of sport and fitness, and to walk away from the kind of incident that led to Reece losing his life following an innocent night out with friends.
"My condolences go to all of Reece's family and friends for their loss at this very sad time."
