Not Wado, but if anyone can help this Shotokan Club, or know someone who can,
please contact them as soon as possible.

Plea for new martial arts instructor. Monday, September 28, 2009, 14:53.

Reporter, Claire Wilson, Somerset Standard.

Karate kid, Jess White, is devastated after her Shotokan club closed due to
financial difficulties, and now she is in desperate need of a new sensi – along
with 30 other members.

The 15-year-old contacted the Somerset Standard earlier this week to see whether
the paper could help in her plight.

The Frome Community College student said: "It was quite a shock when the club
instructor rang and told me the news.

"The age range of the group is between five and 50-years-old, and we all love
what we do, and don't want to give it up.

"And we are appealing through the paper to anyone out there who might be able to
help us."

Jess, who has completed 10 belts in the five years she has been going to the
club, is one step away from her black belt, something she was looking forward to
gaining.

Her mother, Larissa White, said Jess was devastated when she heard the news.

Mrs White, of Wellow Drive, said: "Jess was terribly upset when she heard the
news – but it's just one of those things.

"She's worked so hard to achieve her black belt, I just hope someone comes
forward to help her, and the other club members."

Jess said the club had been organising fundraising to try to help pay for a new
instructor, including bag packing at some of the supermarkets in the town.

She added: "We had a break over the summer of three months, and haven't done any
real training for the past month, so it's important we get a teacher very soon.

"If anyone can help us we'd all be most grateful."

If there is anyone who can save the day then please contact reporter Claire
Wilson on 01761 417778.