MALDON Higashi Karate Club held a Kick-athon at their Blackwater Leisure Centre Dojo to raise funds for the London Firefighters Charity and the HKK Elite squad fund.

The target they were set by the HKK Squad manager Jerome Kumedzina was to achieve 10,000 kicks within an hour, with ages ranging from seven to 60 and grades ranging from 8th Kyu White belt to 6th Dan Rokudan Black belt.

The challenge was a tough one but the squad were up for it and knew the aim set was for 500 continuous kicks each and that they had to keep up to the count to succeed the challenge.

With energy reserves being put to the test and lots of encouragement the squad were past the 250 kicks each mark and everyone pushed hard to keep up and achieve the best time possible.

The hard training, stamina and determination of all really paid off though and the attempt was completed in 21 minutes nine seconds and the group who attempted the challenge clocked up 10,400 with plenty of time to spare.

Lots of donations and pledges are still being received and the total raised on the day was £336.70.

After a short break a squad session was held.

Maldon club students and the club’s current HKK squad members trained along with the rest of the attending squad members from other HKK clubs, the session covered aspects of movement and speed required for competition kumite and gave those training the chance to partner up with HKK’s current British Championship medalists who attended the squad session.