Inclusive martial arts club gets cash boost from National Lottery

Inverclyde Shoto Budo has over 60 members across its junior and adult classes and supports people from a variety of backgrounds in learning self-defence.

The group started in 1992 and has been a big part of many of its members’ lives.

It recently received a £5,700 cash boost from the National Lottery, which will be used to run six weeks of free taster sessions later this year.

Martial Arts Club celebrates £5,700 cash boost (Image: George Munro)

Laura Flynn is one of Inverclyde Shoto Budo’s instructors, as well as being the club’s secretary and joint treasurers.

She told the Telegraph that everyone was welcome to join the group.

Laura added: “We run classes throughout the week and we are an inclusive martial art with some of our members being neurodiverse.

“It doesn’t matter what levels of fitness you have, you are made to feel welcome.

“It’s a karate-based martial arts club based on self-defence and confidence building.”

The 42-year-old works at Craigmarloch School and says she uses the skills and experience she has to help people at the club with additional support needs.

She was pleased that the group was backed by the National Lottery and hopes the money can help support its activities.

She said: “It’s a great boost.

“It means we can keep costs low, this was included in our application, given that the Greenock postcode PA15 is an area of deprivation.”

For more information about the club visit https://inverclydeshotobudo.weebly.com/.

Classes run four days a week across Inverclyde in Greenock, Inverkip and Wemyss Bay.

Laura added: “We usually provide a week’s free sessions to give adults and children the chance to make up their minds if the sport is for them.

“These longer sessions are even better.”

The age group ranges from five years old to 10th dan Billy Haggerty, 76, who founded the Inverclyde club and others across the country.

Laura herself has been a member of the club since she was 10 years old.

She said: “It’s been a big part of my life, and we want to make it available to all of Inverclyde.

“We have members from Port Glasgow to Wemyss Bay.

“We try to make it fun and enjoyable.”