A MARTIAL arts club is raising funds to send its karate kids to take part in an international competition.

Shikkari Karate Kai, which trains in Consett, Stanley and Chester-le-Street, has seven members who have qualified for WKA World Championships in Spain later this year.

They took part in the South Tyneside Open in Temple Park Leisure Centre in South Shields in May.

Now they have to raise £1,000 each so the club has organised a range of activities including a sponsored walk from Consett to Hill Top on Sunday, July 16, a fundraising party on July 28 as well bag packing events.

The members hoping to go are: purple belt Jaimie Lambert, ten, from Stanley; brown belts Dan and Amber McCormick, nine and 11, from Consett; Jake Nixon, ten, from Stanley, Chloe Cullen, 11, from Consett, and black belts Emily Beales, 14, from Stanley and Alan Cullen, 34, from Consett.

Chief instructor Brett Wilkinson said: “They and their families are blown away by the opportunity to take part in this competition. We hope to help them reach their potential.”