Bridgetown mixed martial arts gym holds kickboxing sessions to raise funds for vulnerable community members

A mixed martial arts gym in Bridgetown is hosting kickboxing sessions in a bid to raise funds for vulnerable members of its community. Bridgetown Jui Jitsui, MMA & Boxing owners Kim and Darren Reeves made the decision to run the donation-only classes after they noticed vulnerable residents weren’t getting the support they needed. The couple are in their fourth week of 10, aiming to extend the sessions with enough community support. Mrs Reeves said the program held a double benefit as it not only raised much-needed funds but also made the classes available to those who might not have the funds to cover the usual cost. “We just want to give back to our local community in some way,” she said. “I donate my time and people can donate whatever they can.” The classes are a mix of kickboxing, strength, and coordination with an overall fitness focus. “Every class is different so no one gets bored, plus everyone is learning proper techniques and valuable skills while having fun,” she said. Mr Reeves said the couple were currently working through the logistics on how best to utilise the donations to benefit the community. “A perfect scenario would be an elderly lady who is on her own, she’s got doorknobs instead of leavers and some leaky taps that keep her awake at night. . . I’m thinking we’ll go in and help with that sort of stuff,” he said. Mr Reeves said Mitre10 in Bridgetown were also keen to get involved. “The community at the gym, everyone looks after each other,” he said. “There’s always those people that just get missed out on the outside. . . we want to try and do something to help.” The Reeves encourages the community to get involved. “This is a way to show the vulnerable members of our community that we care and they are seen,” Mr Reeve said. For enquiries, contact Kim on 0405 997 393.