Blackpool Group of Lodges
Group News
Blackpool Budokan’s appeal is lodged and answered
Blackpool martial arts expert Michael Blagg has been called up to represent Britain in the 11th. World Karate/Kick Boxing (WKA) Championships in Niagara Falls, Canada along with other members of Blackpool Budokan. The competition takes place from 4-12 November 2005.
Michael, in a letter to his dad, Kevan Blagg (of St.John’s Lodge) wrote,
‘There are about 6-8 of us going to compete in the WKA Championships this year and only two are wage earners, (the rest are all under 18 and still at school). The plan is to do as much fund raising (fun runs, bag packs etc) as we can but if we can acquire any extra from anywhere you can think of it will be extremely well appreciated. (Basically they are trying to pay for the athletes from the squad fund and anything that is in the squad fund will be divided between the athletes).
Here is the run down for each person (all uniform is compulsory):
The total cost of the trip is £675.00 per person which includes travel and accommodation, but not food.
Each category (point fighting, continuous fighting, creative kata/forms, traditional kata/forms etc) costs £42.00 to compete and some of the kids are competing in more than one category.
Competitors pass book & stamp for WKA costs £10.00.
Competitors 'dangerous sports/travel' insurance is £59.50 per person.
British competitors suit is £32.00.
British team competitors track suit is £35.00.
England squad T-shirt £10.00.
WKA badge (to be worn on a suit jacket/blazer) £5.00.
WKA tie £15.00
So a minimum total for each competitor will be around £883.50. Since the Budokan squad fund is hoping to pay for all of their athletes, any donations or fundraising ideas would be greatly appreciated’. . . Mike
After hearing of Michael’s wish to raise these much needed funds for the trip, Freemasons from St.John’s Lodge, South Shore Lodge and Normoss Lodge set about raising a grand total of £505 to help the team purchase some necessary clothing and other items.
Leon Tax – Assistant Provincial Grand Master said :
‘We are thrilled that three Blackpool lodges have helped Michael and his colleagues to prepare themselves more fully for this important world class event. The generosity of freemasons yet again demonstrate how we are ready to support, wherever possible, committed members of our local communities. We wish them all every success in the Championships’.