Let's give back to AGIG's founder

Krys C Wanders is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

So there's this gal, Jess Fraser, and she's a bit of a bad ass.

She's a personal hero of mine for a number of reasons: She's driven, motivated and passionate as hell. And the greater portion of that passion goes not into personal goals, but into creating communities to help others. Communities like Australian Girls in Gi.

When this gal gets an idea in her head there's just no stopping her. Where others might find something daunting, Jess Fraser just dives right in, and creating this amazing group to support women in BJJ was no different.

Jess is incredibly generous with her time, helping so many of us - always eager to give advice where she can, or to be a roll partner. . . She's helped so many of us connect with each other, has given us a forum in which to discuss our goals and concerns and difficulties. . .she's helped women find gis, find gyms, find jobs. . .She has organized and taught women's self defence seminars entirely free of charge . . . and then there are the BIG events she organizes, often on her own: like the annual AGIG Spring comp and, of course, the upcoming annual AGIG Camp this weekend.

Personally, I can't imagine my Jiujitsu journey without AGIG. I think many of you feel the same.

But nothing comes without sacrifice, and I don't believe many of us realize just how much time, effort and, yes, money goes into maintaining this community. Organizing this group is a massive effort and, occasionally, a heavy financial burden on Jess' part, for which she neither expects nor receives compensation.

I think she deserves some, and I'd like to take this opportunity for us to come together and show our appreciation for a women without whom Australian BJJ just wouldn't be the same, especially for us ladies.

This April, Jess will be travelling to the UAE to compete in the Abu Dhabi World Cup. She has been offered an amazing opportunity: To arrive early in order to train with THE Luana Alzuguir.

There are 608 active members on AGIG's Facebook page. If we each tossed just $5 in, we would easily be able to gift this amazing woman over $3,000. For all she's given us through the years, it would make a bad ass little surprise to aid her towards her much deserved dream Jiujitsu trip.

I sincerely hope you will take a moment to make a donation towards this cause - $20, $10, $5. . .whatever you can spare. This woman seriously puts a whole lot of her heart, soul and dollars into helping us all realize our goals.

Let's give a bit back :)