Llantwit Major & Wales Taekwondo give Cystic Fibrosis Charity a 1K Boost!

On the 22nd of June 2013, something fantastic happened at Llantwit Major Rugby Club. Just over £2000 was raised by Llantwit Major and Wales Taekwondo, for which half was donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Cystic fibrosis affects the gene that governs the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. Its malfunction causes the lungs and digestive system to become clogged with mucus, making it extremely difficult to breathe and digest food. Approximately 2.5 million people in the UK are carriers of the gene. The money was donated on behalf of Nancy Thomas, pictured with her parents and the club, who lives with the chronic disorder. Master Paul Jones, Chief Instructor of Llantwit Major and Wales Taekwondo has known Nancy’s parents for many years, and wanted to contribute to the work they do with the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy Charity. Like all charity events, it was also aimed at raising community awareness for the cause. The Club organised a ‘Kickathon’, and local support was spectacular. Hundreds turned out to cheer on the students, who proved to be an unstoppable kicking force. Even the peewees, as young as age five didn’t stop for a break. Approximately nineteen students and instructors took part, between them succeeding in amassing 16325 kicks in just one hour. The day offered fun for everyone, with a nearly-new sale, bouncy castle, face painting, Taekwondo demonstrations and three bands playing throughout the day.

Since holding the fantastic community event and endorsing the worthy cause, the clubs have received letters of gratitude from the local MP, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Lyn & Lucy Thomas, the parents of Nancy. The charity requires donations to fund their partnership with NHS commissioning bodies in the four UK nations, which ensures that everyone with CF is registered with a properly resourced specialist. Children with the disorder also rely on specialist CF Centres, or other designated support networks. The charity also funds extensive research into treatment for the disorder, such as gene therapy: where a healthy cell is used to replace a defective one. The other half of the money was put towards paying for a seminar with Sarah Stevenson at Quest Taekwondo, along with contributing to competition fees for the students. This coming summer Master Jones hopes to do even more work for the charity, and for the 10,000 people affected by the life-shortening disorder across the UK. Here at British Taekwondo, we would like to congratulate Llantwit Major and Wales Taekwondo. Supporting charities is a critical role of sport, and we are so proud that our organisation and our members continue to give back through our fantastic art. Keep it up!

For further details contactAdrian Tranter PresidentBritish Taekwondo

Mike Mckenzie Development OfficerBritish TaekwondoOr:Bethany Bishop Media Officermedia@britishtaekwondo.org

British Taekwondo, Office 6, Park Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire, England, NG19 8ERT: 01623 656025W: www.britishtaekwondo.org.ukF: www.facebook.com/BritTaekwondo Tw: www.twitter.com/BritTaekwondo