A charity and remembrance day held by the Shukokai Karate Group in Beccles has raised more than £400 for good causes.
The annual event took place on Sunday at the town’s sports centre in Ringsfield Road where the group meets on a Wednesday evening for training.
The day is held in memory of Robert Southcott, a former instructor who died from cancer several years ago, and is a chance for the community to find out more about the martial arts group.
Kantu Patel, who set the club up in 2000, said: “We normally have a charity and remembrance day each year and we have been doing this for about 10 years now.
“This year we chose the Gurkha Welfare Trust, which fits in well with their celebrations of 200 years of serving with the British Army. We also chose the Beccles Lions which is raising money for a defibrillator for Beccles town centre.
“The aim of the day is to bring martial arts together and to show they are not very different.
“We’d like to thank the sports centre for donating the use of the hall for the day.”
The group is open to everyone aged over seven years, with training sessions for junior and senior members.
Mr Patel said: “We work on the martial arts of developing people as positive role models in the community and developing confidence and discipline.”
After the event, Mr Patel presented a cheque for £200 to Beccles and District Lions Club president Keith Moore, who thanked the students, instructors and everyone who had given so generously to their cause.
Mr Moore said: “The aim is to have a defibrillator installed in the centre of Beccles so it can be accessed by the public in an emergency, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The club is working closely with the Heartbeat Community Trust, who have been very helpful, in order to obtain the correct type of equipment necessary. It’s something the club felt they should strive towards and if we are really successful then who knows, maybe we could organise even more defibrillators for the town and the wider community.”
The defibrillator will cost around £2,500 to £3,000, including all the necessary fittings and safety features, along with maintenance and servicing.
Mr Moore added: “Judging by the tremendous support we have already received from the town council, the Beccles Business Association and other local organisations we feel this is one project that will not only benefit Beccles, it will be a credit to the town and will demonstrate that we are leading the way. This donation will mean our first defibrillator may soon be installed in a few weeks, thanks to the help and support of the Shukokai Karate Group along with other organisation in the town.”
To find out more about the project or to offer support contact Mr Moore on 07717488719 or Lion Dermot Wesley-Smith, the club’s welfare chairman, on 01502 677695.
For more information about the Shukokai Karate Group call Mr Patel on 01502 714794 or email kantunchez@aol.com
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