Kenbu Dojo & European Championships 2023 Rome

Fundraising for Club and European Team

Kenbu Dojo – is a small family run martial arts club based in the heart of Gloucester since 2012. This year we are trying to raise vital funds for both our club equipment and European Championships team. Every tiny bit of support really helps our club and benefits every single student within it. So thank you for your support and help.

The club – Desperately needs some extra training aids and equipment for the students to use on a weekly basis to improve their skills, some sparring equipment to share for competition (so parents don’t have to go out and buy expensive kit for their child at beginner levels) and to replace our now very old, loved and tired giant parachute. If any extra funds are raised we would love some new storage cupboards for our hall as sadly all of ours got broken into and smashed beyond repair.

The European Team – Are representing Great Britain at this year's Kenpo Karate Championships in Rome, Italy in October this year. 11 students from around Gloucestershire have been chosen to compete this year. Ranging in age from 7 years old to 50. It is a costly venture for all involved, with parents/students footing the bill for their travel, hotels, entry fees, food etc. We would love as a club to cover the whole team's competition uniform, printing/embroidery and team kit, to ease the pressure off the parents/students. And to send them away looking very smart indeed.

All money raised will be split equally between the club equipment and the team costs.

We have lots of fundraising events planned, including an open day with a Tombola and cake sale, a silent auction. Some team members are also doing their own personal fundraising events using this same gofundme page, you can read more of what they have planned below.

Mark Hope – Is literally going to fly high to raise money for the club and team, by taking part in Wing Walking. For those who don’t know what it is, you literally get strapped to the top of a plane and then stand there for a complete flight! Not for the faint hearted, he is a brave soul indeed. Most of our students know him as “Broken arm Mark” after he diced with a pair of roller blades and lost, last summer, when he broke his humorous! (which wasn’t as funny as you might expect) But we hope to see him flying through the air on Friday 28th of July! Please show your support for Mark by sponsoring him through our go fund me page. (We will upload photos and videos of him on the day).

Mark has now done this but we would be really appreciative if you could sponsor his amazing efforts! He has definitely gone the "highest" for the club! Word on the street is that he is planning a second more death defying flight including Loop the Loops in the coming weeks to raise further funds for the club.

Finley – a 13-year-old ninja addict, has been training at the club for over eight years. He’s competed in last years European competition in Malta. To support the team he will be cycling between 60 and 100 miles along a tricky off road route from Winchester to Eastbourne in August. The trip will be completed over two to three days during his summer holiday. This will be by far the longest ride he’s taken. Updates will be posted on the club's social media so you can track his journey.

Izzy – European Team member Izzy and her Mum are running a silent auction over on Facebook to raise money for the team! Check it out and see if you can nab yourself a bargain day out or perhaps a New England rugby shirt! They have also donated crates of lucozade which the Balodis family have been eagerly selling at all our events so far.

More exciting things to come and be added! Please watch this space and help us by sharing the links to our GoFundme page to get as many people as possible on board. Every single penny helps us achieve our goal.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts from all the instructors and students at Kenbu Dojo!