Beeston-based community group, Monty’s School Of Kickboxing, is celebrating this week after discovering they are one of Skipton Building Society’s ‘Big 160’, securing a slot as a winner in its Grassroots Giving initiative after winning the hearts and minds of the public and triumphing over nearly a thousand other applicants across the country.
Monty’s School Of Kickboxing is a community group run by a handful of volunteers, teaching American kickboxing at St David’s parish church hall on Waincliffe Drive in Beeston. Youngsters learn key self-defence skills, enhancing their fitness, and developing their social skills. The funding received from Skipton’s Grassroots Giving Campaign will be hugely beneficial to the group, as it will mean the community’s children can continue to take part in an unusual sport, whilst keeping fit and healthy, and making new friendships.
Mandeep Sehmi, Chief Instructor said:
“There is a fantastic vibe at my club. As well as their attitude towards achieving their goals and aspirations, each student knows that if they want to achieve then they need to work for whatever their hearts desire and never give up. We’re delighted we’ve received this funding, as now we can continue to teach these wonderful children kickboxing.”
After being shortlisted, the group’s application was then in the hands of the public vote, to determine if they were to win £500 in funding. Shortlisted on www.skiptonbig160.co.uk Monty’s School Of Kickboxing’s story was shared nationally, as well as via social media activity run by Skipton Building Society – as a result the local group secured a big enough proportion of the 20,000 votes received to be crowned a winner.
David Cutter, Skipton’s Group Chief Executive said:
“Everyone at Skipton Building Society has thoroughly enjoyed running this programme which has brought out of the woodwork so many hard working local community groups, which we would never otherwise have known of. It is these kind of groups that make communities and neighbourhoods stronger, especially in difficult economic times and we’re delighted to have been able to showcase some of the unsung heroes across the UK who are really going the extra mile to make life better for everyone.”
Skipton Building Society launched its Grassroots Giving programme as part of its 160th anniversary celebrations earlier this year. As part of the initiative, it has also launched a series of free resources covering a range of key areas for community groups. From help and advice on how groups can gain funding through to recruiting volunteers and governance essentials – the guides can all be downloaded for free form the Society’s bespoke Grassroots Giving website, skiptonbig160.co.uk/free-resources.
