A martial arts club has received an unexpected windfall courtesy of the Co-operative.

Organisers were thrilled by to get a welcome funding boost for South Brent Judo Club in the form of a generous £2,500 cheque from the Co-op local causes initiative.

This money will be used to fund training and competitive fees for all members of the club. The cheque was presented by Louise Hawkins, the manager of South Brent Co-op and received by chair Bruce Baker, vice-chair Oli Michelin, fundraiser Angie Vosper and judoka Libby Day­mond and Pierre Michelin.

With coaches and judoka spread far and wide of late, it is no surprise that the money is so very much needed. Coaches Pete Whitfield and Gary Gregory were recently in Walsall receiving an update briefing from the British Judo Association.

Seven players travelled to Bath to attend the AASE programme a course in Judo, nutrition and tactics.

Lewis Widdicombe, Cerys Callard, Kolya Schwinge, Max Gregory, Adam Vosper, Josh Shipp and Tom Smith all received expert tuition from Jurgen Klinger, head coach of Bath University’s high performance squad. At the same time Pierre Michelin, Kiya and Zoe Butler joined players from across the county for Devon squad training.