A promising young martial artist has thrown his weight behind a campaign to get kids off the streets and into gyms.

Kye Didloff-Lacy is an aspiring Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor who trains five times a week with a club in Medway.

The 13-year-old Howard School pupil was inspired to get involved with Gloves Up Knives Down, a national charity which aims to reduce knife crime by getting youngsters into boxing and martial arts.

As an ambassador for the charity, he has encouraged upon his coaches to join the scheme, got involved in fundraising efforts and been photographed in their national campaign pictures.

His father Jay Lacy, from Hempstead, said: “It was something he felt strongly about; he was fundraising for Cancer Research as well because my grandmother died of cancer but he wanted to help other teenagers.

“He is mixed race so he understands that a lot of boys from ethnic backgrounds might get involved in knife crime.”

Kye trains at Kent Gloves Boxing Club in Gillingham, as well as various clubs in London where he learns under top coaches.

So far, he has competed in exhibition matches, including a fundraiser for 15-year-old Henry Boswell from Swanley, who has a rare form of bone cancer.

At the fight last month, Kye was led out by Chatham’s Karol Itauma, who is a Youth Olympics gold medallist in his sport of boxing.

Jay added: “The sport for him gives him direction and drive.

“At the moment he is developing and he is involved with quite a few things and with Gloves Up Knives Down, he has got a few professionals involved just by generally spreading the word and they all support him and the cause.

“He’s really enthusiastic about it.”

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