Barking charity founder named community champion by train company

The founder of a charity helping troubled youths turn their lives around has been named train company c2c’s community champion of the year.

Louis Olusina, 46, launched the Charis Project nine years ago to assist youths battling drugs, poverty and exclusion.

The community worker now helps 50 young people in Barking and Dagenham and Havering from his base in Ripple Road, Barking.

He said: “It is a great honour to be chosen and it recognises the hard work the project puts in to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour among young people so that our community can be safe.”

Louis won a one-year, free season ticket on c2c trains, which run through Barking and Dagenham.

c2c managing director Julian Drury said: “Since Louis founded the Charis Project in 2003 it has gone from strength to strength, engaging and supporting local youngsters. We’re so pleased to recognise and support Louis’ passion and contribution.”