Boxer Chris Billam-Smith becomes Bournemouth Foodbank ambassador

Chris Billam-Smith said it was "an honour to be able to help"

Boxing world champion Chris Billam-Smith has become an ambassador for his local foodbank.

The WBO cruiserweight title holder decided to lend his support to Bournemouth Foodbank after visiting its warehouse with his family in December.

He hopes to raise awareness of the charity's projects, such as its baby bank, and help dispel the stigma some people associate with using foodbanks.

He said he was "honoured" to be able to help people in his hometown.

Chris Billam-Smith won the WBO cruiserweight title at Dean Court in May 2023

The 33-year-old said seeing the large amount of food in the warehouse - then learning that it was only a month's supply - was "a shock" and "quite eye-opening".

He said: "It's an honour to be able to help, and to help people realise it's OK to use a foodbank, and to also help people who support it as well."

The charity's grants and foundations manager, Rio Argent, said the boxer was "so down to earth, so humble, and really wants to do more".

The charity described Chris Billam-Smith as an "amazing role model"

She said: "We don't want to bombard him - he's busy training - but he told us to reach out and nothing seems too much to ask so it's going to be a really exciting journey.

"He has a real local presence and he's always out and about in our local community.

"We thought, what an amazing role model, he's always amongst the people and makes time to stop and do the photos."

The foodbank says Billam-Smith is the charity's first ambassador and hopes his celebrity status will help raise awareness of its other projects.

They include its baby bank, which takes referrals from services supporting mothers and families with babies, and its Garden Rooms Cafe in Boscombe, which is staffed by volunteers.

The charity has about 150 volunteers and provides food assistance to about 2,500 people, including more than 400 children.

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