Boxing twins open up about fostering journey

Identical twins who box together have shared their experiences of being fostered in the hope of helping others.

Chris and Johnny Taylor, 18, from Charlbury in Oxfordshire, said they had gone into the care system during the Covid pandemic, when their mum lost her job and fell into debt.

After losing their home they spent time in hotels and hostels, before being fostered by family friends.

Johnny said it was "one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone" and they would "love to be able to give to people the opportunities we've been given".

Chris and Johnny, who train together multiple times a week at Banbury Boxing Club, are hoping to make names for themselves in the world of boxing.

The brothers said their love of the sport had given their lives "a massive direction".

They even traded video games they were given while in homeless accommodation for money to pay for a gym membership, despite not having money for proper meals.

"All we wanted to do is box, so we always try and find a space to train," Chris said.

Chris said their changing circumstances tested their relationship as brothers.

"We weren't always as kind to each other because of what was going on in our environment," he said.

"But we are still close, like we've always been."

Johnny said they regularly see their mum, who Chris added they "love to bits".

"I remember when our foster parents suggested us to sign the papers, we spoke to our mom straight away," Chris said.

"She didn't want us to because it's like saying goodbye to us in a way, but it wasn't like that at all, it was like our family just got bigger."

Johnny said they were "lucky", as it was "not the traditional way most kids go into the foster system".

"If people can take something away from what's happened to us... maybe give them a bit of strength, then it's worth it," he added.

"We'd love to be able to give to people the opportunities we've been given, whether that's fostering, coaching, just anything."

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.