Local Tae Kwon Do group host action-packed fundraiser for Uplands School

Martial arts experts were put through their paces to raise cash for specialist school in Swindon.

North Wilts Tae Kwon Do club members took 100 rounds of sparring for Uplands School. The Swindon-based school is a specialist institute which provides education for children, aged 11 to 19, with learning difficulties including Down syndrome, and children on the Autistic Spectrum. Run by - recently married - husband and wife, Paul and Leanne Lolley, North Wilts Tae Kwon Do have been actively teaching and developing martial arts practices for over 15 years.

Leanne, who joined North Wilts TKD back in 2003, said: "Paul's son, Zac, is a student at Uplands School and we wanted to raise some funds for the amazing work they do. "We also wanted our students at North Wilts Tae Kwon Do to experience sparring with people from other clubs as it helps with their development and confidence, so we decided to combine the two. "Paul and I both strive to make training fun and enjoyable with upbeat fast moving sessions while still sticking to some of the important traditions of ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) style Tae Kwon Do." Sparring is a semi-contact competitive style of fighting, which is designed to minimise damage to an opponent. The sparring sessions into quarters, continuously sparring for one minute and then rotating around the group. In total the group sparred for 100 rounds. Leanne added: "At the moment we've raised £1,696 - people have two weeks to hand sponsorship in though, so this could increase slightly. We are incredibly proud to have been able to have so many participants from across the National Tae Kwon Do community at the event." As well as instructors and pupils fundraising, the sparring event was sponsored by Tae Kwon Do author Stuart Anslow, Master Mohamed Afzal of Torpex Sports, AllMedPro, Collingwood Services Ltd, Aldi, Royal Wootton Bassett Rotary, and Discount Auto Repairs. North Wilts Tae Kwon Do train on Monday and Fridays at Eldene Centre, Eldene Village, Swindon SN3 3RZ from 6.30pm to 7pm for 5 to 10-year-olds, and 7pm to 8pm for 11+, teenagers and adults. The first two lessons for new pupils are free. Telephone: 07771861999 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.northwiltstkd.weebly.com/