Inclusive Taekwon-Do Takanini, where the focus is on ability, NOT disability!

Our club is based at the Takanini Community Church. Students are all learning quickly and achieving great things!

Being inclusive, we do not discriminate towards anyone. Some students have higher needs than others. (These can be physically, emotionally or mentally). Due to the physical needs of some we need equipment to ensure all activities remain SAFE for everyone, without anyone having to sit out.

Many of our students have Autism, and thrive on visual aids. I need to supply a whiteboard to write lesson plans on, and have pictures of activities we plan on doing at each session. I regularly need to print lots of visual information for students to take home and study, to help them absorb what is being taught in the club hall. To keep this going I need to buy paper and ink. (Which I'm happy to continue to do). I currently have a black and white only printer on loan, and it is good, however I would like to be able to print in colour and get a continuous ink supply system to keep costs down. (The printer is appoximately $150, and the continuous ink supply system approximately $80).

*** (Approximately $230 needed for printer and ink) ***

Due to physical disabilities and some students being unstable on their feet, we need to get Mats to put down and train on. We are currently on a wooden floor which is good for those with no stability problems, however can be quite dangerous for those who trip easily. We are always careful in all activities, however with fast-moving activities like sparring and games, we need to be sure that everyone is comfortable and confident, and SAFE. Even those of us with good footing can trip in these situations, so it is extra nerve-wracking and distracting for those who have to focus on their footwork so heavily!

Mats are approximately $50 each, and we need 64 to ensure enough space to move freely. (8x8 mats)

*** ($3200 needed for mats) ***

We also need larger pads. We currently have 1 medium sized pad, 1 glove-pad and 2 paddle pads (small). These are small and unsteady targets for any beginner, but especially for children. I would like to get 5 large kick pads so we can have more students participating at a time, and so they can hit with full contact, minus the fear of missing and hurting their partner. Having bigger pads also means pad holders can get closer in behind the pad to provide a more solid and stable target for their partner to hit. These are $95 each.

*** ($475 needed for 5 large kick pads). ***

In total, (for now to really get our club firing on all cylinders and to help ALL children feel 100% safe and confident in all activities), we need *** $3905. ***

I keep fees very low to ensure people of all backgrounds and financial status are able to participate, and because I understand that having more than one child attending an activity can be expensive. I also am aware that families who have members with a disability have ongoing medical expenses that can make attending activities like these difficult, so I keep fees low to make sure everyone is able to continue.

I have been making up the difference in hall fees out of my own pocket, and as a single Mum find this difficult most weeks. With all student fees going back into hall fees it also means there is nothing left over to go back into the club to get equipment required. Once we have more equipment we will be able to cater to larger class numbers safely. This of course means an increase in takings, and more money to go back into the club for other equipment we might need.

Raising this money would make a huge difference to not only students with higher needs, but to the whole club as well.

People interested in helping our club are welcome to look up our club page, "Inclusive Taekwon-Do, Takanini" to check out what we have been up to in the last 8 months, and how students have already advanced. You're also welcome to contact me with questions or for any further information at all.

Thank you for your support :-)