Hi everyone,

I am asking for funds on behalf of Tina Parker and Len Gooch, the owners of a voluntarily run Judo Club in Scunthorpe. Len and Tina have worked tirelessly since 2000 to ensure children and adults of all ages have a place to train, learn and grow with Gooch Judo Kwai. This cause is incredibly important to me, both Len and Tina have coached me as a child, teen and as an adult. They are incredibly hardworking and the club means the world to them, me and so many other people. Unfortunately, the club has recently been threatened with closure as the rent has increased significantly, making it impossible for them to continue their vital work. They have limited time to resolve this issue (November 3rd) and desperately need our help. I have attached Tina's message on the issue below, all funds will go straight to her. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this message, it would be greatly appreciated if you can donate anything at all.

Thank you!

Poppy Cowell

My name is Tina Parker (formerly Gooch), and I voluntarily run Gooch Judo Kwai 2000 in the Berkeley area of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, alongside my father and a small team of dedicated volunteer coaches. Our club has been serving the local community since January 2000.

Judo has been a lifelong passion for me. I began at the age of 4, competing regionally, nationally, and ultimately internationally for Great Britain—achieving numerous accolades throughout my career. After stepping back from competition due to injury, I was determined to give back to the sport and community that shaped me, and so I opened the club from scratch to pass on my knowledge and experience.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of teaching thousands of children, building their confidence, discipline, and motivation through sport. Our work has been recognised on multiple occasions, including being the first recipients in our area of the BBC Unsung Hero Award.

Today, we support over 60 active members—children and adults of all ages and abilities—with numbers growing weekly. We have always prioritised accessibility, particularly for children from underprivileged backgrounds on the Berkeley estate. We keep our fees as low as possible, offer free introductory sessions regularly, and maintain a strong presence in local schools. Many students who attend school-based sessions go on to join the club.

In addition to running the club, I work in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy at Scunthorpe General Hospital. This year, I also participated in North Lincolnshire Council’s Fuelled programme, focusing on exercise, health, and nutrition—areas that align closely with my NHS role. These sessions were fully booked and further demonstrated the demand and impact of our work.

Unfortunately, we are now facing an urgent issue that threatens the future of the club. A significant rent increase and additional costs imposed by our landlord may force us to close if a solution cannot be found soon. Time is limited (November 3rd), and we are doing everything we can to explore options, but we are reaching a critical point.

I am reaching out in the hope of finding advice, support, or potential solutions—whether that be assistance with our current situation, alternative premises, or connecting us with the right individuals or services.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve built over the past 25 years and are determined to continue serving the community—if given the chance.

Kind regards,

Tina Parker (Gooch)

Founder & Head Coach

Gooch Judo Kwai 2000