What do Sport and Packaging have in common, you may ask? Well, both can change lives for the better in their own right. So, when the opportunity arose for us to support a local Taekwondo Club, James Welsh Schools of Taekwondo, in their mission to make a big change beyond our shores, we jumped at the opportunity to do so.
The Club host an annual local Taekwondo competition in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, to encourage all its students to experience a competitive environment but within a familiar and friendly setting. All proceeds raised are donated to a charity of choice; this year, the event supported the UNICEF Children of Ukraine Charity – a worthy cause in anyone’s eyes.
With over 100 students from 6 clubs, spanning from Northampton to Huddersfield, a lot of action and medals where always going to be on the agenda. Events included Speed Kicking, traditional Patterns, Sparring and team events. Needless to say, the competition was a big success. The atmosphere was electric at times, with a competitors engaged in their pursuit of a Gold Medal, and parents and spectators roaring them on to push themselves that little bit further.
And right in the thick of it all was our very own Compliance Manager, Shaine Gill-Ohrt, and his daughter Sapphaire Gill-Ohrt (lower right-hand side), who both managed to win a Gold Medal each; Shaine also adding a Bronze to his tally on the day. Shaine (40) and Sapphaire (10) have been active in Taekwondo for almost 4 years – crazy thought when we cast our mind back to our Chairman, Mehrdad Toofanian, having held her in his arms as a tiny baby. Oh, how time flies…
Overall, the Charity Event was a resounding success, with all competitors walking away with great stories to tell, incredible pride and most importantly, a medal for their efforts – a great memento and a fantastic incentive to keep pushing. Better still, no serious injuries were sustained by any of the competitors.
And, of course, then there was the minor formality of the funds raised for charity…
Well, we are pleased to say that James Welsh Schools of Taekwondo, with the help Skymark Packaging International Ltd have managed to raise a truly superb grand total of £1,080, all of which was donated to Charity. Does anyone else get a warm fuzzy feeling at the thought of this…?
Our special thanks to James Welsh, Colin Boxshall and all the volunteers who have given up their time to make this event a truly memorable occasion and for giving Skymark Packaging International Ltd. the opportunity to be a part of it.
