Children to benefit from free Karate classes thanks to PCC cash
A KARATE club will be able to deliver even more classes to disadvantaged youngsters after receiving a cash boost from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex.
For the last two years the Maru Karate Kai club in Basildon has been funding free children’s karate lessons to disadvantaged youngsters in the Barstable area of the borough thanks to funding from Children in Need and the Big Lottery Fund. The free classes have run alongside the club’s normal lessons.
The scheme, which has chosen the children through working with local schools, aims to build the confidence of the youngsters taking part, as well as equipping them with martial arts skills and diverting them away from potentially becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.
The scheme will now be rolled out to include other areas after Maru Karate Kai successfully applied for funding from the PCC’s Community Safety Development Fund (CSDF). The club has been awarded a £5,020 grant.
The cash will be used by the club to run classes for up to 100 youngsters from Basildon’s Craylands estate and Wickford’s Highcliffe estate. The lessons will be for children aged between 10 and 16 and will be advertised through schools in both areas.
Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “I am delighted to award this money to Maru Karate Kai in Basildon.”
“The leaders of the club have shown their commitment to the community and young people in their area with the creation of the free karate lesson programme and I am pleased to be able to help that extend to reach even more children.
“The scheme has given many young people the opportunity to be involved in the sport which has in turn helped build their confidence, learn discipline and no doubt created many budding martial artists.”
Marc Grayston, chief instructor of Maru Karate Kai said: “The PCC Funding has been invaluable in helping us commit to improving the opportunities for young people across Basildon.
“Over the next year, we will work with local schools to promote the scheme and encourage youngsters to get off the streets and into our karate classes. We are proud to be able to deliver this programme, which will reinforce the fact that great things can happen in our borough.”
The CSDF is cash provided by the PCC to help community safety partners and local and voluntary groups to deliver innovative ways to prevent and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and deliver against priorities set out in the Police and Crime Plan.
To apply for a grant under the CDSF please visit the following link for more details: https://www.essex.pfcc.police.uk/priorities-for-essex/community-safety-development-fund/
