Martial Aid Ukraine Festival took place in Andover Leisure centre last weekend and raised more than £1000.

Organised by Gordon Mitchell, the founder of Fighting Falcons kickboxing school, the festival united the athletes from the local martial arts community who demonstrated their skills to show support and raise funds for Ukrainian children affected by war. Seven martial art schools of different styles, including kung-fu, kickboxing, jujitsu, and taekwondo demonstrated their fighting techniques and took part in spar-a-thon. During the event, the coaches engaged with the children to teach them basic kicks and punches in the activity areas. The festival was attended by Ukrainians who recently arrived in the UK in the hope to find a safe shelter. Our Ukrainian guests shared their experience with the participants and spectators and thanked the UK community for their support.

READ MORE: Martial Arts clubs to come together for fundraising festival in aid of Ukrainian refugees

The festival was actively supported by the local community who volunteered to bake authentic Ukrainian food, helped run the event and donated the raffle basket worth £100.

Martial Aid Ukraine raised £1310 from donations, raffle, entries and bake sale which has been sent to Hope and Homes for Children charity to fund their work in providing life-saving support for thousands of vulnerable children in Ukraine, parents and carers.

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