Together We Can All Help Kick Cancer
FOR quite some time a dedicated group of martial artists in the region have been working hard to raise cash for Cancer Research UK.
They do this not for the glory but because they want to make a difference – and as such they are unsung heroes.
The foremost of these unselfish and caring guys is Sensei Peter Seth who spends most of the year organising the North’s biggest martial art showcase, the Marfest International Martial Arts Festival held annually in Sunderland.
Peter, as anyone who knows him will tell you, is an unassuming person without a huge ego often associated with those who promote such showcase events.
But what he lacks in ego he makes up with a big heart. He has dedicated his life to helping others by raising thousands and thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK.
Another big-hearted guy is Sifu Steve Youngman who helped to raised £20,000 to help pay for a specialist limb for a young boy struck down by cancer.
Just like Peter he has no thought about self-aggrandisement – his driver is to help those stricken with this awful disease.
So, how can we the wider martial arts community help?
Well Peter has a vision. He wants as many martial arts groups and associations across the North to hold their own events to raise cash for this vital charity.
My own association has taken up the challenge and will be holding such an event at Alnwick, Northumberland on January 27 at the Willowburn Sports Centre.
It will be a multi-style event open to any martial artist regardless of system or association. All we ask is that you come along with an open mind and heart.
Other groups such as the Kuri Nami Kenjutsu dojo will also be holding seminars later in this year.
But wouldn’t be great if more groups did likewise and we showed the rest of our communities exactly what martial arts are really about? Just think how much of a difference it would make if every Aikido, Ju-jutsu, Ninjutsu, Wing Chun Kung Fu and kickboxing and karate clubs and others all made the effort and held seminars, workshops and other events in aid of Cancer Research UK?
Not only would it show how big-hearted martial artists can be, it would also help to bring people from different arts together in a common purpose regardless of style and association.
If you can’t organise such an event then go and participate in some of the other seminars. The money raised will be your contribution to kicking cancer where it hurts.
You see the money raised is not going out of the region but will be spent here finding new cures at Cancer Research UK’s centre in Newcastle. And with one in three of us likely to develop this killer condition in our life times that money and time invested now maybe YOUR lifeline in the future.
Steve Youngman’s Kick Cancer event is being held at the Jarrow Community Centre, Cambrian Street, Jarrow, on Sunday, February 24 from 11 – 5pm. Some of the region’s top instructors will be there from a multitude of styles.
Peter’s Marfest08 will be held in early May (details to be confirmed).
If you can please attend these events and others being organised as we speak – because together we can make a difference.
For further information on these and other courses email me at phil.doherty@hotmail.co.uk
I will then put you in touch with the event organisers.
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Hi y'all.
Thanks phil - hope this blog gets the word out - everyone who blogs here please tell your marts colleagues about the blog site and lets have more bloggers to spread the word.
Ive been talking to Peter and he is a little embarrassed at the attention but really appreciates the fact that so many friends and colleagues are willing to get involved - He also says if the same events were to roll out nationally the potential for Cancer Research fund raising could be enormous. Martial artists generally are tremendous people who are on the same path, which is a positive one and are only too willing to 'make a difference' in this world of ours. So 'lets go for it'.
He would also like to thank everyone who has been involved in the past events in any way.
Both Peter and Steve are friends of mine whom i have known for some years. If the wider community had the same drive and passion to help others, our community would be a better place to live. I can assure all those whom read the main artical that these two gents do not arrange these events for self profit or fame. The last event was a great success and it was a privlege to have taught on Steve's kick cancer course and Peter's festival of martial arts.
I can only hope that these events will continue into the future. Not only to raise money for the fight against cancer, but to bring the martial arts community together. The last few years events have seen many clubs making friends and cross training in each others chosen arts or systems. But lets not forget the main reason for the events, cancer effects one in three people. I have lost some one close to me to cancer and it is never easy to see a loved one slip away.
Lets hope everyone can spread the word of these events anyway they can to make them a success.
What an excellent cause. Will it be possible to get those people who are involved in organising these event / gatherings to post the details/dates/info etc and maybe get dairy of coming events which we can distributed throughout the area.
Good luck with the organisation and i, along with others from Directional Fighting Method, will be happy to attend.
Hi all.
Just to let you know I have a couple of dates pencilled in for Marfest 08 at seaburn - Sat 26th April and Sat 10 May?
Probably the former as someone has blocked booked May but are 'not quite sure yet'. i have a few ideas for this years event - Hope the Royal Marines and police may oblige?? (in the pipeleine)? Just need some good media publicity to build up to the event (loads of newsworthy angles). and of course I need to get my head round the organisation again - phew!
Anyway any other ideas gratefully received.
Cheers
Pete
great blog guys, I hope this gets the word out to more people and these events can raise event more money.
The Chinese Lion will be dancing at both of these events.
These events are a great way to see different local clubs and martial art styles and raise money for charity at the same time. Bring the family and support the events.
It's a great cause and sounds like it will be a fab event to attend. Unfortunately I will be in Scotland for my club's event (DFM Alnwick) but will try and attend another event elsewhere. Keep up the good work guys.
Sadly work commitments are keeping me away from this month's event but I'll be sending my donation to Phil and booking holidays so I can be there next time. My best wishes to everyone attending these fantastic events in 2008.
Baz
Hi all.
Just to let you know, Ive booked Seaburn for Sat 26th April for the Martial arts festival. Presently putting together a program and will be again asking some of you kind people to 'volunteer' to take part - just a 15 or 20 minute spot. Hope to spread the word a bit wider with your help, get some media interest etc. Many newsworthy angles - people, Newcastle - a world class research centre - brilliant, dedicated people working not only in research but fundraising, volunteers, events, successes. the martial arts community - highly skilled, dedicated, big hearted people who are making a difference. Not only being involved with charities but also teaching, passing on their skills, knowledge and the positive ethos of the arts, respect, empathy, teamwork, goal setting, a good work ethic, fitness, flexibility, thinking 'outside the box' and helping develop positive young
people.
Bit of a ramble but maybe a media bod will read this and think - mmmmm?
Will keep you informed.
Cheers
Peter
hello all this is one of the senior students of the alnwick Taekwon-do club.
I have only just found out about these events today and am a little dissapointed at not going to the last one.
I think this is a great cause and if anyone could tell me when the next one is in the alnwick area I would be happy to attend and tell our other students about these events.
thanks
Steve
Hello Steve,
an alternative would be for your club to hold a multi-style seminar and the participating clubs could be your guests.
The more martial arts groups the better as far we are concerned.
We would gladly help you with any publicity and faciliate contact between
your taekwondo club and the others.
The whole idea of these seminars is to foster goodwill between martial arts groups while raising funds for this vital cause.
Drop me another comment with your tel number on and we'll speak soon.
Hi all.
Well another great day yesterday - Kick Cancer event at jarrow organised by steve youngman. Loads of great people thoroughly enjoying themselves training in a variety of different marts and also raising funds for a great cause. Bit stiff and sore but enjoyed meeting everyone - thanks for the day steve. whens the next one.
Great course Steve and for a fantastic cause. My students and I enjoyed ourselves immensely and learned a great deal from the various Instructors.
Already looking forward to next year.
Thanks again to all the Instructors and students that I met throughout the day.
Happy training.
Hi Guys,
thanks for the kind words, but you the instructors and the students are the real people that made it happen.Like last year it was excellent, no politics or egos just genuine martial artists wanting to share.
The lion dance was a real treat especially for those that hadn't seen it before. And, lets not forget Stuart Gavin and his crew from Merkinch Budo Ryu who travelled all the way from Inverness. Thanks to Peter Seth for his support and inspiration and once again many thanks to all those that turned up to support the event and make it the success it was.
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Hi all.
Well only 12 days to go till MAFest 8 - April 26th at seaburn LC 10am till 4pm.
This is the quiet time, when I (hopefully) find out what ive forgotten to do!! But till now everything seems ok. Just need bums on seats. This year should be great - aikido, aikijitsu, lion dancers, kung fu, karate, judo, jujitsu, directional fighting, pressure point SD, Historical european fighting systems, Tae kwondo, Capoeira, 'Land of the Kami' - Award winning amateur marts film running throughout the day in the foyer. Plus more! hopefully 'come and try it' sessions as well. Professor Roger Griffin from the Newcastle CRuk research centre will hopefully be giving a short intro about the work being done in the research field.
Please spread the word - any sponsorship/raffle/auction prizes gratefully received etc. Many thanks in advance for all who help make this a fun day for a great cause.
Peter
PS: Think youngest participants this year are 3 years old. Oldest - prob me:(
Aaaw - never mind:)
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Hi all.
Sorry its taken a bit time but would like to thank everyone who was involved with Maf8. Raised £2100 for Cruk before expenses. Hoping to change format a little for next year - maybe have a formal come and try session the week before as well. Need to have a think and ask round for ideas, help etc.
Thanks again
peter
Hi Peter,
Well done! Once again a tidy sum raised for a very, very worthy cause.
Best Regards,
Steve
well done peter - every bit helps...
phil
Very good cause. Is sad to say that while millions of dollar are spent in war, millions of persons die because of cancer. Don't give up!!