Martial arts unite in show of compassion

LOCAL and national martial arts experts have rallied behind a recently paralysed friend, setting up a fundraising campaign and gearing up for a daylong event today.

Richard Jones, a student of the Hobart Martial Arts Academy, broke five vertebrae, five ribs and suffered a collapsed lung during a tree-felling accident on his property at Elderslie, near Brighton, last month.

Mr Jones is paralysed from the waist down and is likely to spend his life in a wheelchair.

His friend Gerry Young decided to help Mr Jones and his family by holding a seminar at

the academy at the Clarence Sports Centre today from 10am-4pm costing $50.

It will include workshops and physical training with renowned Tasmanian coaches teaching skills of their particular style.

Mr Young also established a Go Fund Me campaign to gather funds which has already raised just over $14,000.

Former Australian Muay Thai kickboxing champ Nick Rundle and fellow Tasmanians Adam Newtown (Brazilian Jui Jitsu), Mathew Stennings (Mauy Thai kickboxing) and Connor Murphy (Mixed Martial Arts) will all attend the seminar.

Mr Jones is currently at the RoyRoyal Talbot Rehabilitationhabilita Centre in Melbourne.Melbou

“It’s uplifting how everyoneeveryon has come together, I was overwhelmedwhelme and excited that the cocommunity would comecom together for a trainingtra day,” Mr JonesJo said.