A NORTHERN suburbs karate club will hold a Blue Belt Project fundraising event this month.
GKR (Go Kan Ryu) Karate will raise awareness for mental health and funds for beyondblue at the October 30 seminar.
Regional manager Gavin Smith said students could wear commemorative blue belts, t-shirts and wristbands throughout October in the lead-up to the fundraiser, which was open to all people from five years old.
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READ NOWThe senior instructor said the training seminar would look at awareness, building confidence, improving fitness and learning self-defence.
“A lot of people look at karate in a self-defence environment,” he said.
“(However,) we start to develop skills like confidence, especially in kids that are shy.
“It’s about building character and improving yourself as a person.
“It is really an all-ages sport – we have five-year-olds to students into their 70s.”
The Merriwa resident said teenagers who were studying and adults in “high-pressure” jobs benefited too.
“They use their karate as a bit of an outlet and stress reliever,” Mr Smith said.
Based on a style of karate developed in Adelaide, GKR Karate has clubs across Australia and overseas in New Zealand, the UK and US.
Last year, they collectively raised about $85,000 for beyondblue and hope to exceed that this year.
The seminar will run from 10am to noon on October 30 at the ECU Sports and Fitness Centre, 270 Joondalup Drive.
Tickets cost $12 per person and all proceeds go to beyondblue.