A JUDO club in Maldon has donated more than £2,000 to a national charity for blind people.

Members of Blackwater Judo Club took part in various activities to help raise money for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

The fundraising drive was started by 11-year-old Maddie Scott, who was born with cataracts and developed glaucoma when she was just a few years old.

Maddie has been attending the club with her Dad, David, and her sister, Hannah, since 2012, helped to raise £2,208.34 for RNIB.

The money raised by Maddie and the club will go towards the charity’s Talking Books Library, a service that Maddie herself has benefited from.

Former judo Paralympian, Marc Powell, who took part in London 2012, attended the cheque presentation at Blackwater Leisure Centre.

David Scott, Maddie’s father, said: “Earlier on this year, Maddie asked if they could do something for RNIB.

“When we realised the Rio Olympics were about to start and that Paralympic judo is essentially judo for the visually impaired, everything just fitted into place. It was perfect timing.

“The fundraiser was a fabulous event held over two judo sessions. Everyone who took part had a great time and we’ve raised a big pot of cash for RNIB to say thank you for everything they do.

"I am extremely proud of what Maddie has managed to raise. I am really grateful for the generosity and support of the children and the parents at the club.

"It is a very inclusive and very welcoming group of people.

"When it started kicking off and people were enthusiastic about it I thought we might get £1,000, but we ended up getting more than double that which is fantastic."

Marc, who now works for the RNIB, said: “It was an honour to attend the cheque presentation and accept this fantastic contribution from the Blackwater Judo Club on behalf of RNIB.

“I really enjoyed meeting the club’s members and taking part in some judo related activities with both the adults and children.”

For more information about how you can fundraise for the RNIB, visit rnib.org.uk/donations-and-fundraising or call 0345 345 0054.