A REDDITCH student who did a fundraising nine hour karate session did so well he earned himself his first belt – and brought in £600.
Matthieu McMullan, a member of 216 Redditch Air Cadets Squadron, did the challenge to raise money for an educational trip to Nepal with his unit.
Together with colleagues from the West Mercia Wing, the aim is to climb to Everest Base Camp to get a taste of the high life in the Himalayas before spending time helping to teach English in one of the local schools and doing some construction work.
“We’re very proud of him,” said the 17-year-old’s mum, Christel.
“He had never done karate before although his dad and his brother do it and he did nine hours solid at the Ecumenical Centre.
“We would like to thank Jacqui Fisher and the ATMA club members, Revd Steve Levett, Ben Hudson for supporting Matthieu and learning karate with him, Redditch’s Green Bean Cake co, Bella Barba and Calvados Drouin, all the way from Normandy in France, for donating raffle prizes and all the people who helped us.”
The trip is expected to cost £3,000 and Matthieu is over the half way to his target following a sponsored abseil with fellow Air Cadets, together dropping 5,500metres, the height of Everest Base Camp.
They’ve also completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge, yomping 40km and climbing three summits in just 10 hours, with more trips to the Black Mountains and Snowdonia planned.
Now the student, who is studying agricultural engineering at Hartpury College, has his sights set of raising more money for the trip with a table sale at the bandstand event on Church Green on July 14.
Mattieu has also set up a fundraising page – visit Matthieu McMullan at Just Giving or click here
