Charity’s donation offers a kick start to new martial arts classes

AN Alfreton gym is providing K1 kick boxing classes for young people thanks to a donation from a Derbyshire charity.

Derwent Rural Counselling Service (DRCS) donated training equipment including boxing gloves and pads so instructors Clint Wayne and Richard Brydon can now run young people’s classes in Matlock at County Hall and in Bakewell at Lady Manners School alongside the gym in Riddings, Alfreton.

The charity, which is the largest provider of counselling services including talking therapies and well being programmes in Derbyshire and the Peak District, also paid for licences for both instructors.

Gym boss Dale Wood, who has fundraised for DRCS in the past, said: “This generous donation has made the setting up of these sessions so much easier.

“We noticed a real gap in expert instruction in martial arts in the area and also how expensive it was. Thanks to the donation we are now providing classes in Matlock and Bakewell and making the sport much more accessible to more kids by offering quality instruction at an affordable price.

“The first of our students have just passed their first belt along with the more experienced students that have come back with the return of the sessions.”

The sessions are now attracting more than 20 students and offer the chance for young people and adults to train together in an inclusive atmosphere.

Dale said: “We all know the benefits of physical activity for good mental health but kick-boxing also concentrates on discipline and the chance to be part of a family, an important element of sport. This is what many young people so critically need to stop them going down the wrong path.”

Mark Penman, operations director at DRCS, said: “We were delighted to help Dale and Jester’s Gym out with some new equipment which means more young people can access sport and make a positive contribution to their health and well-being.”

DRCS has a 30-year track record of working with individuals suffering from common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and long term conditions. DRCS also works with businesses and schools.

It operates from bases in Bakewell, Derby, Chesterfield, Alfreton, Belper, Long Eaton and Matlock treating people from the Amber Valley, Erewash, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne, Derby, Swadlincote and the Peak District. It also uses GP premises across the region.