Karate Club kick on past the 50k mark for charity

NASSKC Wado-Ryu Karate clubs from Southport, Formby and Wigan along with the Southport YMCA Shotokan Karate Club achieved a magnificent 50,460 kicks in 4 hours in a Kickathon.

Members of local Karate clubs get together to raise funds for Queenscourt Hospice

Members of NASSKC Wado-Ryu Karate clubs from Southport, Formby and Wigan along with the Southport YMCA Shotokan Karate Club achieved a magnificent 50,460 kicks in 4 hours in a Kickathon completed to raise valuable funds for the Southport based hospice Queenscourt.

Mike Seery, from the club in Southport, has had personal experience of the hospice.

He said: “This was a personal challenge for me as over the past 10 years my family I and have been in the unfortunate position of needing to utilise the hospice.

“The hospice provided wonderful care and support, and without them what is a difficult situation for all could have been a lot less bearable.

“So I thought it was time to give something back and fortunately the fantastic people at our club thought it would be a good idea too.”

The Kickathon was organised by Mike with help from Aisling Halligan (Ash) from Queenscourt Hospice, who helped the karate clubs plan out the event and provided great support.

Ash may well be encouraged to come back next year and do some kicks of her own!

Lesley Kirkbride, who is a community officer from Tesco, also took part selling raffle tickets and providing support on her day off.

Mike continued: “We would like to thank everyone, including Ash and Lesley, who took part and helped raise funds for Queenscourt, especially the two Beckys who manned the laptop and kept a running score of kicks and produced certificates for everyone who took part.

“Finally a big thank you to everyone that gave up their time to participate and helped the clubs kick our way to over 50, 000 kicks.”

The club operates at Birkdale High School on Mondays and Wednesdays between 7pm and 8pm, also at the Harrington Centre in Formby on Sundays between 11:15am and 13:15.

New members always welcome.

First four lessons for new members are free.

For more details contact Mike Seery on 07734 054606.