Our First Cinema Night!

Having taken their seats to watch a private showing of what else but “Kung Fu Panda 3”, the family, friends and members of West Cumbria’s E.S.K.K Martial Arts and Fitness, found themselves taking part in a karate taster session! Founder and Chief Instructor Chris Denwood led a short karate demonstration with some of his senior students as part of the fund raising evening and took the opportunity to get the whole audience involved.  He said:

“We wanted to support our local Gaiety Cinema, who have been brilliant in helping us with this fund raising event. We are a very family orientated group so having the whole audience try out a little karate from their seats ahead of the film was a lot of fun!”

The evening’s proceeds go to a community fund run by the club’s support group officers.  The fund is in part used to help a national and local charity each year and this cinema night was also a stage to make this year’s presentations to two charities selected by the group's Current Students of the Year via a member's vote. St Bees R.N.L.I and Great North Air Ambulance were delighted to be presented with cheques for £250 each. After the family fun and demonstrations, the charitable role of both organisations was shown on the big screen followed by a recorded personal video message of thanks from the Great North Air Ambulance wishing E.S.K.K a great evening.  Dick Beddows and Ian Norman were able to attend in person on behalf of St Bees R.N.L.I and, getting their breath back after their impromptu karate lesson, they said:

“The family approach and the respect inherent in E.S.K.K’s approach to martial arts is very much reflected in R.N.L.I’s teamwork and respect for the power and dangers of the sea”.

​A powerful comparison and reminder to us all to be safe around the wonderful cost we enjoy here in West Cumbria!

Both organisations can only do the work they do with the dedication of their own amazing people and continued support from fundraising like this.  The E.S.K.K Martial arts and Fitness Cinema Night was only possible because their own people and because we have an absolute gem of a local cinema open again after a long hibernation! They provided the private viewing, an opportunity to involve the families in a great event and even donated some Kung Fu Panda merchandise that were auctioned on the night to add to the proceeds.  Thanks from E.S.K.K Martial Arts and Fitness to all who helped stage the event, those that helped wake The Gaiety Cinema out of retirement and of course the brilliant folk of R.N.L.I and Great North Air ambulance.  The night closed as the credits rolled and most of the audience could be heard singing “Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting” with a round of applause as they made their way out. There are already plans in development for the group's next Charity Fund Raiser.

E.S.K.K Martial Arts & Fitness hold inspiring classes almost every day of the week for all ages in venues across West Cumbria. For more information and to book a FREE Taster Session, please call 01946 694751 or visit, www.eskk.co.uk.